Providence, RI (March 2024) - The Groden Network, Rhode Island's primary provider of support for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities, announces the donation of $10,000 from Stop & Shop to support the school’s food pantry.

Established in 2022 through collaborative efforts with Stop & Shop, the pantry has been a vital resource, offering essential food and personal care items to families in need at the Groden Center Day School.

Importantly, volunteering in the pantry serves as an essential learning opportunity. Groden students help shop for food, stock pantry shelves and bag groceries for families. The Groden Network recognizes the significance of these experiences in promoting independence, job skills training and social interactions for individuals with autism.

The donation fortifies Stop and Shop’s commitment to serving the Rhode Island community and its partnership with the Groden Network. The Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program was established in 2019 to help limit barriers impacting students’ ability to succeed in the classroom by making sure that they have consistent access to food. Stop & Shop currently supports 225 school pantries across its footprint and will support over 250 pantries by the end of 2024.

“We are extremely grateful to Stop and Shop for their continued support,” said Hope Cahill, Marketing Manager of The Groden Network. “It takes around $60,000 a year to support someone with Autism. For many of our families, the pantry is helping offset some of those additional costs.”

About Stop & Shop’s School Pantry Program

More than 9 million children in the United States are food insecure, according to the USDA. Stop & Shop works directly with schools to establish and support food pantries to ensure that kids don't have to go to school hungry—and to help them perform their best. Stop & Shop Food Pantries nourish students ranging from pre-K through college.

About The Groden Network

The Groden Network has been Rhode Island’s leading provider of early intervention, day school education, day habilitation, residential support, and therapeutic programs for children and adults with autism and related developmental disabilities since 1976.