New Jersey-based grocery giant ShopRite announced that its annual ShopRite Partners In Caring (SRPIC) Cheerios Contest has surpassed $1.34 million in fundraising this year. Sponsored in partnership with General Mills, the long-standing initiative mobilizes store associates and local communities to combat regional food insecurity.
As a reward for their record-breaking charity work, 120 grocery store associates from the top 55 fundraising locations across the Northeast are being honored with their faces featured on limited-edition Cheerios cereal boxes.
The annual competition takes place every September during Hunger Action Month. Cashiers, baggers, and store managers compete creatively to drive donations at checkout and host localized community events.
The “Class of 2026” champions were revealed as a series of in-store celebrations wrapped up this week under the banner theme, “We Give Back Here.”
New Jersey supermarkets captured three of the top five fundraising spots across the entire tri-state footprint:
- ShopRite of Newton (NJ) – Ranked #1 overall nationwide, raising nearly $34,500 under the leadership of the Romano family.
- ShopRite of Brodheadsville (PA)
- ShopRite of Ramsey (NJ)
- ShopRite of Yardley (PA)
- ShopRite of Chews Landing (NJ)
The contest does more than just secure bragging rights and customized cereal boxes for store breakrooms. The winning locations earn direct grant funding from Wakefern Food Corp. (ShopRite’s parent cooperative) and General Mills to inject right back into their local neighborhoods.
The top five fundraising stores each received $5,000 to donate to a regional food bank or pantry of their choice, while the remaining 50 honorees received $2,500 apiece.
“The Cheerios Contest is a ShopRite Partners In Caring tradition that celebrates the incredible dedication of our store teams and family-owned ShopRite stores,” said Alexandra Emery, Manager of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility for ShopRite. “Wakefern Member Families and their associates give back here because they are part of the community, and they know the importance of supporting food banks and pantries to ensure families have access to the nutritious food they need.”
Reflecting ShopRite’s deep corporate and cooperative roots in the Garden State, 30 of the 55 winning supermarkets are located in New Jersey. The full list of recognized NJ stores includes:
| New Jersey Winning Locations | ||
| ShopRite of Bayonne | ShopRite of Hillsborough | ShopRite of Netcong |
| ShopRite of Byram | ShopRite of Hillsdale | ShopRite of Newton |
| ShopRite of Chews Landing | ShopRite of Lodi | ShopRite of Ramsey |
| ShopRite of Clinton | ShopRite of Lyndhurst | ShopRite of Rio Grande |
| ShopRite of English Creek | ShopRite of Mansfield | ShopRite of Sparta |
| ShopRite of Flanders | ShopRite of Marlton | ShopRite of Spotswood |
| ShopRite of Flemington | ShopRite of Marmora | ShopRite of Stirling |
| ShopRite of Franklin | ShopRite of Medford | ShopRite of Succasunna |
| ShopRite of Greenwich | ShopRite of Metro Plaza | ShopRite of Sussex |
| ShopRite of Haddonfield* | ShopRite of Morristown | ShopRite of Wallington |
(Note: Additional winning stores from New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut also contributed to the $1.34 million total portfolio.)
ShopRite Partners In Caring is a year-round, community-based initiative that has donated more than $62 million to local food banks, soup kitchens, and hunger-relief agencies since its inception in 1999. Backed by Wakefern Food Corp., the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States, ShopRite supports communities across six states.
