Hannaford surpasses $1 million in donations from reusable shopping bag sales

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 28, 2019

 

Contact: Ericka Dodge (207) 885-3132

                                                                             

Hannaford surpasses $1 million in donations from reusable shopping bag sales

$476,154 donated to 1,555 community organizations in Maine

 

Scarborough, ME—Hannaford Helps Reusable Bag Program crossed a major milestone last month when it surpassed $1 million in total donations. 

 

Customers may recognize the familiar Hannaford Helps Fight Hunger and Hannaford Helps Community reusable shopping bags, which for several years have been sold in Hannaford supermarkets for $2.50. From each sale, $1 is donated to either hunger relief agencies or community organizations chosen by store employees, including school PTAs, local Little Leagues, and veterans’ organizations. For hunger relief programs, each $1 donation is equal to 10 meals.

 

The first-of-its-kind initiative was created in partnership with PS It Matters, a Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based organization that helps administer the program. Since its inception in 2014, nearly 1.7M bags benefiting over 4,500 non-profits have been sold at Hannaford supermarkets. The stores have found that customers are willing to pay more to support their communities, while at the same time making an environmentally conscious shopping choice - the reusable shopping bags have saved the equivalent of 13.5M paper/plastic bags.

 

During this time, $476,154.25 in donations from reusable bag sales has been donated to 1,555 community organizations in Maine.

 

“All of us at Hannaford pride ourselves on being able to give back to the communities we’re a part of, and this program has allowed us to see that it’s not just employees who want to show their support,” said Tim Perry, Store Manager of Portland’s Forest Avenue store, which was the top generator in sales of cause bags totaling $18,788 in sales. 

 

Perry added, “This program allows customers to participate in giving back, and we’re proud to be able to offer an opportunity for everyone to contribute to these well-deserving organizations.”

 

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About Hannaford Supermarkets

Hannaford Supermarkets, based in Scarborough, Maine, operates 181 stores in the Northeast. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Hannaford employs nearly 27,000 associates. Additional information can be found at www.hannaford.com.