State Sen. Beth Bye and other well known West Hartford community leaders helped Joseph Family Markets raise awareness and funds for local food pantries.

Submitted by Carrie Titolo, Community Relations Manager, Joseph Family Markets

L-r: Chuck Joseph III, Chuck Joseph Jr, and Beth Bye pause for a photo during Help Bag Hunger at the ShopRite of West Hartford, The event raises awareness and funds for the local fight against hunger. Submitted photo

Customers at the ShopRite of West Hartford saw lots of familiar faces as local community leaders and dignitaries bagged groceries at checkout on Wednesday, Sept. 23 for Joseph Family Market’s “Help Bag Hunger” day.

This annual event raises awareness and visibility of the local fight against hunger and gets local community leaders involved to encourage dialogue with associates and customers around the issue.

From left: Scot Haney, Chuck Joseph III, Chuck Joseph Jr, and Foodshare CEO James Arena-DeRosa come together to help raise awareness of hunger in our communities. Submitted photo

In attendance were representatives from local organizations including Tracy Flater, Founder and Director of Playhouse on Park, Johnny Paindiris, owner of Effie’s Restaurant and Foodshare CEO, James Arena- DeRosa. Sen. Beth Bye and WFSB’s Scot Haney were also on hand, as well as officers from the West Hartford Police Department.

Throughout the month of September, shoppers have the opportunity to continue to support this initiative at checkout by adding to their bill in $1 increments. Contributions will go to support local food banks through Foodshare. Each dollar donated buys one pound of food for St. Agnes Family Center, Westminster Presbyterian Food Distribution Program, Congregation Beth Israel, and Jewish Family Services.

“As a local business, we do everything we can all year long to help fight hunger in our communities. Help Bag Hunger Day is an important event that brings greater visibility to the cause and helps raise funds to feed our neighbors in need. We were honored to have the support and participation of so many community leaders in our efforts,” said Chuck Joseph, owner of Joseph Family Markets.

Since the company’s inception in 2010, Joseph Family Markets has contributed over $121,000 to the local fight against hunger.

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