Timonium ShopRite Raises Money to Feed the Hungry

Village Supermarkets, the umbrella co-op under which resides the new , has raised $166,108.50 for local food kitchens from events like yesterday afternoon’s "Bag Hunger" fund-raiser.

Wednesday’s fund-raiser featured local dignitaries, as well as administrators from , who assisted in bagging groceries and encouraging shoppers to donate to the Partners in Caring Program. 

Ridgely Middle School principal Susan Evans said the event was a good opportunity to act as a role-model for public school students who are required to complete 75 hours of community service in order to graduate.

“We know that there are families that are struggling and with the economy the way that it is, we’re just trying to help and promote parents coming out and making donations,” she said. “What a better way to be a model for students than to give back?”

All Village Supermarket stores, including the Timonium ShopRite partner with local food banks—especially during September, which is National Hunger Action Month.

“It’s just our way of trying to give back and trying to make sure that the less fortunate are being taken care of,” said store manager Steve Starzynski. “Everybody deserves to eat. It’s something that we feel is very important.”

ShopRite has formed partnerships with the Maryland Food Bank, the Cockeysville Food Pantry, the Eastern Inter-Faith Outreach and the Catonsville Emergency Food Ministry.

The next major fund-raiser to be hosted by ShopRite will be a turkey drive, closer to Thanksgiving. 

“We’re not just a business. We’re trying to get involved with local families. Everything goes hand-in-hand,” Starzynski said.