Business & Tech

Two ShopRite Employees Grace Cheerios Box

As part of the store's Partners In Caring program, the pair headed up fundraising efforts and helped the store become 12th out of 40 chosen for the box.

Two Cinnaminson ShopRite employees got their faces on the box of a special-edition Cheerios box this month thanks to their fundraising efforts.

Rebecca Cardone and Pat Keane, both of Marlton, were chosen by their colleagues to represent the store’s Partners In Caring campaign to fight hunger.

“It’s about reaching out to everyone in the community,” Cardone said. “To be able to help people out is always a great thing.”

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Partners in Caring, a hunger-fighting initiative, sponsors a fundraising contest each year. ShopRite stores in six states raised $522,000. ShopRite Cinnaminson’s contribution was $5,300.

That money goes to organizations, such as The Food Bank of South Jersey, based in Pennsauken, to feed local families year-round.

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Cardone, who’s been with the company for four years, is a front-end manager in charge of spearheading fundraising efforts. In 2010, she headed up a safety day, featuring Cinnaminson fire and police; a celebrity bagging day, featuring prominent figures from around town; and a Christmas in July event, to raise awareness that hunger isn’t just a problem around the holidays.

Keane, a non-perishable manager, has been with ShopRite for 10 years. He’s in charge of ordering and merchandising General Mills' products, who are part of Partners In Caring.

“I’ve been at different retail stores, and ShopRite is the best to provide for the community,” said Keane, who also volunteers for the Special Olympics—his son has autism.

Keane helps drive sales with organizing displays. He’s most proud of the display last Halloween, showcasing General Mills’ monster-themed cereals: Count Chocula, Franken Berry and Boo Berry.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Keane said. “Coming up with creative displays each year is always fun.”

Because of the success of ShopRite Cinnaminson’s fundraising, the store ranked 12th out of 257 stores. Associates from the top 40 stores are now featured on a special-edition Cheerios box, available at ShopRite stores for the rest of this month.

In a special ceremony Friday, Cardone and Keane were honored and given special boxes of their own. Mayor Kathy Fitzpatrick, Committeeman John Rooney and several others were at the event, hosted by ShopRite spokesperson Orien Reed.

“To connect and raise this astonishing amount of money,” Reid said, “you and everyone in this place are superheroes.”

Checks were presented to groups including the Food Bank of South Jersey and other local food pantries.

The Cinnaminson ShopRite, and four others, are owned by the Eickhoff family.


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