Crosby's Marketplace Donates to Open Table

Crosby’s Marketplace in Concord presented a check for $1,042 today to Open Table, a local food pantry that provides weekly meals and groceries to the needy.   

It was the first donation as part of the grocer’s ‘Bagging for the Environment’ program. The family grocer at 211 Sudbury Road is encouraging shoppers to use their own reusable bags to cart home groceries, saving thousands of plastic and paper bags, and in the process contributing to local non-profit and educational needs.

Here’s how the “bagging for the environment” program works: Crosby’s Marketplace customers in Concord are given a nickel token each time they use their own shopping bags; these tokens are then placed by shoppers in canisters for donation to one of three local needs—Open Table, Minuteman Arc or Concord-Carlisle High School. Crosby’s Marketplace also encourages customers to return plastic shopping bags to the store to be recycled through the program.

In the last six months, more than 21,000 plastic and paper bags have been saved.

“We are pleased to present our first check to such a worthy cause,” said Jim Crosby, president of Crosby’s Marketplace. “With the help of our customers, we’re helping to improve the environment and contributing to local programs. We are thankful our customers have responded so enthusiastically.”

In addition, to the ‘Bagging for the Environment’ program Crosby’s Marketplace also works with Open Table of Concord and Maynard to encourage customers to donate food to Open Table. Under Crosby’s Neighbor Bag program, customers can make a ten dollar donation to purchase a pre-filled bag of food. Bags are picked up each week by Open Table and over the two years of the partnership, the Concord store is averaging donations of approximately 100 bags per month. Open Table’s mission is to provide healthy food, friendship and support to those in need while respecting their privacy and dignity. Open Table, through the sponsoring DiGiovanni Family today, is hosting the Iron Chef Competition and Fundraiser, Saturday, April 12 from 6 pm to 9 pm at 300 Baker Avenue in Concord. Watch local teams compete as they slice, dice and ice their way to cooking fame. Hearty hors d’oeuves, fine desserts and a cash bar available.

“We are very thankful to Crosby’s Marketplace for its generous help in providing support and assistance to families and individuals in our community, and we thank them for the continued support,” said Open Table President Jeanine Calabria.

To learn more about how your non-profit organization can benefit from the bag program and other community programs, please contact Store Manager John Cummings at (978) 369-FOOD (3663).