ShopRite and Rutgers “Dunk” Hunger at January Basketball Games

ShopRite Partners In Caring Hosted Food Drive at Start of Rutgers Men’s and Women’s Basketball Games in Support of Community FoodBank of NJ

Keasbey, NJ (January 21, 2025) – ShopRite and Rutgers University Athletics recently teamed up to host a ShopRite Partners In Caring & Rutgers Food Drive for New Jersey families in need – raising awareness about food insecurity and collecting non-perishable and canned food items at the January 6 Rutgers Men’s Basketball game against Wisconsin and the January 12 Rutgers Women’s Basketball game versus Nebraska.

Rutgers fans who attended the games at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Piscataway were able to donate non-perishable and canned goods, which were delivered to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. ShopRite representatives who attended the matchups were honored to accept ceremonial game balls for their assist in fighting hunger.

Dara Sblendorio, a third-generation grocer and president of her family-owned company Sunrise ShopRite, which operates ShopRite stores in West Caldwell and Parsippany, NJ, accepted the game ball before the start of the Women’s Basketball game vs. Nebraska on Jan. 12.

“As a company deeply committed to fighting hunger, ShopRite is proud to stand with the Rutgers community to support our neighbors in need,” said Sblendorio. “My family was excited to be part of the pre-game food drive at the stadium and thrilled to watch such a close, hard-fought match between the Scarlet Knights and Nebraska Cornhuskers.”

Ismael Hernandez, Director of Operations for LoCurcio Family Markets, which operates three ShopRite stores in Belleville, Nutley and Kearny, NJ, accepted the game ball before the start of the Men’s Basketball game on Jan. 6.

“We are so proud and appreciative of our Rutgers community for showing up and supporting the collaborative effort with our partners at ShopRite,” said Lisa Tirrell, president & CEO of Scarlet Assets Management Company, LLC. “Because of this drive, we were able to send items directly to the Community FoodBank of NJ and make an immediate impact in our community.”

With nearly one million people in New Jersey struggling with food insecurity, including over 260,000 children, fighting hunger remains central to ShopRite’s signature charitable program – ShopRite Partners In Caring. ShopRite and Rutgers are extending their support to those families and the Community FoodBank of NJ this post-holiday season – a time of year when many food banks face a drop in critical donations.

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