CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – On Thursday, November 7, local community leaders, celebrities, and Kroger representatives took part in the annual “Shop to Stop Hunger” charity supermarket sweep to benefit the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Hosted at Rio Hill Kroger in Charlottesville, contributions from the event raised a total of $15,513 and 558 pounds of food and funds, totaling 47,004 meals, helping to fill the Food Bank’s shelves and raise awareness of food insecurity across the Blue Ridge region.

During the high-energy 60-second sweep, participants raced down the aisles, filling their carts in a bid to claim the most valuable haul. Kroger Mid-Atlantic President Kate Mora emerged as the Grand Champion, winning the coveted “Cart Away Hunger” trophy for the most total donations raised. This included a cart valued at $608.23, with food and online donations totaling $1,500. UVA Community Credit Union contributed an additional $5,000 in their name.

The event brought together other notable participants, among them UVA baseball’s Harrison Didawick, Kate Mora, Charlottesville Fire Chief Michael Thomas, and Charlottesville Mayor Juandiego Wade. Other attendees included representatives from the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Kroger, Home Instead Senior Care, and Carolyn Burnett from UVA Community Credit Union, who also serves on the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank board.

“Today’s event demonstrates how our community’s compassion and teamwork can create lasting change as we work to solve hunger, every day,” said Michael McKee, CEO of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. “The food and donations made today will provide meals and hope to individuals and families living with food insecurity across our region. We’re deeply grateful to Kroger, Home Instead Senior Care, UVA Community Credit Union, and everyone who came together to make this event successful.”

Since its start in 2013 by former Food Bank board member Jeanne McCusker, “Shop to Stop Hunger” has raised enough food and funds to provide more than 789,744 meals for residents in need across the Blue Ridge region. This year’s event alone generated enough to provide 47,004 meals. Funds and food are still being collected and added to the totals for this event.

Community members can continue to support the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank’s hunger-relief efforts by donating online at https://give.brafb.org/STSHCVILLE24. Every dollar donated helps provide more than three meals.