Ocean State Job Lot donated thousands of dollars worth of food to the Newport Food Pantry as part of a program designed to help the less fortunate.
Over a one-month period between Thanksgiving and Christmas, Ocean State Job Lot collected over a few hundred thousand dollars at its stores throughout New England and New York and matched the donation – more... with $50,000 from the company. The share given to Newport amounted to $6,664 according to Newport Job Lot's assistant manager Larry Karanko.
"Ocean State is passionate about providing for the needy in the communities we serve," Karanko said.
The program, which started several years ago, asks customers to donate money for local food pantries and the company commits to match up to $50,000 in donations each year. Pantries in six states are served by the program which include Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. "This has been a very successful program", Karanko said. "Ocean State is a top contributor to food banks in Rhode Island."
Ocean State opened its Newport store in May in the building once occupied by Ames and has seen a tremendous amount of business. "Business is good," Karanko said. "The response from the community has been exceptionally well. They have longed for a store since Ames closed down."
Karanko said the company plans to open its first store in Vermont in St. Johnsbury soon. He added that there are plans to continue the program in order to support the local food banks. Pantry director Rich Chappell said donations such as the one Tuesday from Ocean State are the reason he is able to help so many people.
"We gave out 16,182 meals over the past three months," Chappell said. "That doesn't even count the holiday baskets." Chappell said the need in the community has not diminished with the end of the holiday season. "The cupboards may be full now, but you get a busy week and we can run low," Chappell said. "You have to be vigilant."
Dartmouth Motors of Newport donated the use of a van to pick up the food in Manchester, Chappell said. Most of the products were cereal, juice, pasta and vegetables. "It's everything we would normally get," Chappell said. – less – More from ZoomInfo »
Ocean State Job Lot Employer Reviews
Ocean State Job Lot3.0
Productive and social place to work for.
Department Head/Cashier (Former Employee), athol, MA. 01331 – November 30, 2011
Working at Ocean State Job Lot
Do you work at Ocean State Job Lot? How did you find the job? How did you get that first interview?
Any advice for someone trying to get in?
It's always hard to know what to expect when going in for that interview -- and preparation can make all the difference. What is the interview process like at Ocean State ...
What do you think - will Ocean State Job Lot grow fast? Are they expanding their staff? How does Ocean State Job Lot stack up against the competition?
What are the average starting salaries, bonuses, benefits and travel requirements like at Ocean State Job Lot?
What do you like best about working at Ocean State Job Lot? ...
Every business has its own style. What is the office environment and culture like at Ocean State Job Lot?
Are people dressed in business casual, jeans and t-shirts, or fu...
