Wakefern Supports Deborah Heart and Lung Center with $1 Million Donation

As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting those served by the Deborah Heart and Lung Center, Wakefern Food Corp. presented a $1 million donation to the hospital at a special presentation ceremony earlier this week. This contribution will go directly towards patient aid to help provide cutting edge cardiac care to those who need it, regardless ability to pay for treatment.
The hospital, located in Browns Mills, NJ, is one of just a handful of care facilities in the country that does not bill treatment, even when insurance falls short on costs, allowing patients and their families to focus on the healing process in a much less stressful environment. As a result, Deborah relies heavily on donations and partnerships with companies like Wakefern.
“Wakefern is our biggest supporter,” said Corinne Kashan, executive director of special events for the Deborah Hospital Foundation.  “We don’t allow financial stress to affect our patients, and this generous donation ensures that all people, especially those without health insurance, will continue to have access to quality care at Deborah.”
Hospital representatives gathered with Wakefern executives at their corporate headquarters in Keasbey to discuss the rapidly changing, often uncertain health care landscape.  Regardless of the ever changing environment, both institutions remain committed to the communities they serve.
“Deborah is all about what matters most – family. At the heart of our business, we are a company made up of ‘families serving families’ and I think that’s why we’ve had this very long relationship with Deborah over the years. We are proud to share their vision and purpose and to play this small part in making a difference in the lives of those they serve,” said Wakefern President and COO Joe Sheridan.
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About Wakefern Food Corp.
From a small, struggling cooperative with eight members – all owners of their own grocery stores – Wakefern Food Corp. has grown into the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States.  Founded in 1946, the cooperative is comprised of 50 members who today individually own and operate more than 250 supermarkets under the ShopRite and The Fresh Grocer banners in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware. In 1996, Wakefern introduced PriceRite stores, extending the company’s reach into Rhode Island and Massachusetts.  Today, there are 51 PriceRite stores in six states.  As the merchandising and distribution arm of ShopRite, PriceRite and The Fresh Grocer, Wakefern, together with its member companies, employs more than 50,000 people; making it one of the largest employers in New Jersey.  In addition, Wakefern also distributes products to other supermarkets throughout the northeastern United States and Bermuda.  Wakefern was recently named one of the Best Places to Work in NJ by NJBIZ Magazine. In 2011, Supermarket News gave Wakefern its Retail Excellence Award and The Griffin Report named Wakefern its Retailer of the Year. For more information, please visit www.Wakefern.com.