Ocean State Job Lot Makes Record $1.44 Million Food Donation

NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI- Ocean State Job Lot, a 116-store discount retail chain headquartered in North Kingstown, R.I., announces its 2015 “Three Square Meals” hunger relief program to alleviate the problem of food insecurity throughout the Northeast.

The program will distribute 109 tractor trailer loads of food throughout the year to 15 food banks, which in turn distribute to thousands of pantries, kitchens, and meal insecurity sites across six New England states, New York, and New Jersey, including:  Rhode Island Community Food Bank (Providence, RI), Connecticut Food Bank (East Haven, CT), Foodshare (Bloomfield, CT), New Hampshire Food Bank (Manchester, NH), Food Bank of the Hudson Valley (Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY), Worcester County Food Bank (Shrewsbury, MA), Food Bank of Western Massachusetts (Hatfield, MA), Good Shepherd Food Bank (Auburn, ME), Vermont Foodbank (Barre, VT), Boston Medical Center Food Pantry (Boston, MA), Greater Boston Food Bank, Long Island Cares (Hauppauge, NY), NORWESCAP (Phillipsburg, NJ), Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties (Neptune City, NJ), and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York (Latham, NY). This marks the single largest food assistance program of its kind in the Northeast.

On Thursday, April 9, 2015 at 9:15 a.m., the first delivery of food will be kicked off with a convoy of 18 tractor trailer trucks loaded with approximately 630,000 lbs of nutritious, shelf-stable food, the first installment of nearly 3,270,000 pounds delivered throughout the year. The public is invited to cheer on the convoy departing from Job Lot’s warehouse in North Kingstown led by a special escort of Rhode Island State Police, Seekonk Speedway racecars, and vehicles from the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association of Rhode Island Chapter en route to the select Food Banks.

For the second time in the 12-year history of the Three Square Meals program, private businesses are sponsoring a truckload of food including Kellogg’s, Bank of America, Bob’s Red Mill, Polar Beverages, Arbella Insurance, and the Narragansett Lions Club. Shipping pallets for the deliveries were donated by Atlas Pallet. Job Lot’s Charitable Foundation is also teaming up with the New England Patriots Alumni Club led by former 12-year Patriots offensive player Pete Brock and 15-year quarterback Steve Grogan to “tackle hunger.” They, as well as fellow Patriots alum Patrick Pass, will be on-hand for the April 9th morning event, along with current Patriots cheerleaders and the “Pat Patriot” mascot.

Funds for Three Square Meals are raised annually between November and December through a combination of in-store customer donations at the register, contributions from the business community, and matching funds from the Job Lot Charitable Foundation.   Job Lot then leverages its wholesale buying power and retailing expertise to purchase food at significant value. It also donates the operational support, delivery and other expenses to ensure that 100% of every dollar raised goes to the plate to help families and individuals in need. Items to be distributed include shelf-stable food such as pasta, cereal, canned vegetables and fruit, soup, canned tuna, dried beans, rice, and more.

Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo and First Gentleman Andy Moffit will attend along with other VIPs, food bank executives and staff from across the region.

“Rhode Island recognizes Ocean State Job Lot’s Charitable Foundation and the customers who donated at the register for their continued commitment to helping feed families not only in our state, but throughout our entire region,” said Governor Raimondo and First Gentleman Andy Moffit.  “As parents, we know first-hand how important proper nutrition is to a family’s health and wellbeing, and want all Rhode Island children to be healthy. Three Square Meals is an example of a smart, effective way to help neighbors and families. On behalf of the State, we are proud to say ‘thank you’ to this Rhode Island-based company for making a positive impact on so many lives.”
Ocean State Job Lot Co-Founder Alan Perlman recognizes the contributions and generosity of the company’s valued customers. “Our Three Square Meals event is intended to bring attention to and help alleviate the growing hunger epidemic in our region,” he states.  “We’re tackling the fight against food insecurity. Together with our customers and charitable partners, such as the Patriots Alumni and URI’s SNAP-Ed program, we can help to alleviate this hunger cycle.  Every contribution, big or small, helps. For us, seeing our Three Square Meals program grow and inspire others to give is extremely rewarding.”

The public is invited to attend the 2015 Three Square Meals event being held in the Job Lot warehouse at 375 Commerce Park Road in North Kingstown on April 9, 2015 at 8:00 am, and to help cheer on the truck convoy as it departs at approximately 9:15 am for the Food Bank deliveries. There is no charge for this event.  Guests are asked to use Job Lot Way (off Commerce Park Road) to access the warehouse parking lot, and to enter Door #7.

Leave a comment