Commentary From Our Chairman / CEO
The Joy Of Giving During The Holiday Season
Michael D. Sleeper, Chief Executive Officer, Imperial Distributors, Inc.
While this is one of the busiest selling seasons of the year for supermarkets, General Merchandise and Health and Beauty products, it is also a time when the supermarket industry comes together to help those who are most in need.
In many ways, America is the land of plenty, yet 1 in 6, or 50 million people, in the United States struggle with hunger. In Massachusetts, 800,000 people have difficulty providing food for themselves with seniors and children being the most vulnerable.
Leaders in the supermarket industry have always responded generously to the hunger crisis. Stop & Shop committed to raise $2.5 million to help families in need this holiday season through a number of “hunger relief” programs as well as donating more than 21,000 turkeys. Hannaford Supermarkets continued its very successful Hannaford Helps Fight Hunger “Buy One Give One” program.
Working with the Greater Boston Food Bank, supermarket chains including Big Y, Shaw’s, Stop & Shop, Hannaford, Roche Bros, and Market Basket donated over 15,000 turkeys to Massachusetts residents this past Thanksgiving. These contributors do not include turkeys given by other grocery retailers to their local food banks and pantries.
These are only a few examples of the giving and generosity of our industry. Price Chopper, Whole Foods, Wegmans and many others have traditions and programs of giving to those in need during the holidays, and throughout the year.
Utilizing the facilities of The Greater Boston Food Bank, The New England Food Foundation (NEFF) represented by supermarkets, broker and distributor communities, held its annual Food Caravan. This month donations exceeded 10,000 cases of food products to 75 food shelters and pantries in New England.
At Imperial, our management team makes a donation to the Greater Worcester County Food Bank which is matched by a Company contribution and several of our team members donate their time at local food banks, shelters, and food pantries.
We should all be extremely proud of what our supermarket industry does to help those in need, especially during this time of year. Sincere gratitude with warmest best wishes to all for a wonderful Holiday Season, and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
For comments or questions, contact us by phone at 508-756-5156, or e-mail: msleeper@imperialdistributors.com