Ocean State Job Lot Donates Truckload of Food to Worcester County Food Bank

Ocean State Job Lot, a 113-store discount retail chain headquartered in North Kingstown, RI, nnounced an initiative to help alleviate the food crisis throughout the area. 

As part of its 2014 “Three Square Meals” family meal assistance program, Ocean State Job Lot’s Charitable Foundation has made arrangements for a purchase of seven truckloads of General Mills products for delivery next week to seven area food banks.  

On Tuesday, June 3, the Worcester County Food Bank received a 33,000 lb. truckload of nutritious food items including mashed potatoes, pasta and soup. 

Established in 2003, Three Square Meals is a public-private initiative funded in part by Job Lot customers who donate $1 at the store’s cash registers during the holiday season; sponsors and vendors; and Job Lot’s Charitable Foundation. The June 3, donation to Worcester County Food Bank is part of a yearlong total of $4.2 million worth of shelf-stable food that is earmarked for distribution to 13 food banks and pantries across six New England states and New York.

“Thanks to one of our most valued business partners, General Mills, and the generosity of Job Lot customers, we are able to fight food insecurity starting with our local communities and food banks,” commented Ocean State Job Lot Owner/Partner Alan Perlman. 

The seven food banks in the region receiving the General Mills/Job Lot donation are: Rhode Island Community Food Bank (Providence, RI), Connecticut Food Bank (East Haven, CT), Foodshare (Bloomfield, CT), New Hampshire Food Bank (Manchester), Worcester County Food Bank (Shrewsbury, MA), The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts (Hatfield, MA), and the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York (Latham, NY).

“Food insecurity is something we take seriously,” Mr. Perlman continued.  “Together with quality products from General Mills, we are leading the fight against hunger.”

Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot is a growing, privately held retail chain with 113 stores in New England and New York, approximately 4,000 employees, and annual sales exceeding $540 million. Job Lot sells brand name, first quality merchandise at closeout prices. Shoppers find an ever-changing array of household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (holiday, gardening, pool supply, outdoor), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price. The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, placing emphasis on local food banks in communities where Job Lot operates stores. The Foundation also supports medical and educational institutions, disaster relief efforts, the performing arts, our military service men and women, and special needs and foster children.  Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered at 375 Commerce Park Road in the Quonset Point Business Park, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Phone: 401-295-2672; Web: osjl.com.