BURRILLVILLE/NORTH SMITHFIELD – One year after taking over the Brigido’s Fresh Market chain of small grocery stores, owner Michael Fernandez says he’s pleased to be able to deliver on his goal of helping out in the communities that the markets serve.
The store recently donated a total of 90 backpacks filled with school supplies, from pens and pencils to rulers and notebooks, to three local elementary schools. School principals in North Smithfield, Burrillville and North Scituate picked up the donations just before the start of the new school year last week.
“We figure kids in grades 2 to 5 are the ones who most need it,” Fernandez told NRI NOW.
Piles of supplies including highlighters, water bottles, glue and crayons – secured with the help of vendors such as Coca Cola – were stacked for pickup at the three locations last week. The schools will work with families to coordinate distribution of the supplies to students in need.
“Brigido’s Fresh Market always puts family first – this was a commitment we made over a year ago,” noted a release on the effort. “Brigido’s has always been a family owned and operated business with this in mind we feel that there is nothing more important than our kids for that reason we are helping families prepare their kids for the upcoming school year.”
“We know the importance of education and want to help lessen the burden that a new school year brings,” it said.
Fernandez, who also owns several supermarkets in New York and Connecticut, purchased the business from the Brigido family last year. Independent grocers operating under the banner of, “Foodtown,” the stores are now members of Allegiance Retail Services New Jersey-based co-op that also includes Freshtown, Brooklyn Harvest, Market Fresh, Morton Williams, and Shop n Bag.
“This community-focused initiative reflects Foodtown’s deep commitment to its local neighborhoods under Fernandez’s family ownership,” noted a release from Foodtown. “As a local, family-owned and operated business, the Foodtowns strongly emphasizes investing in the well-being of their neighborhoods, and this school bag giveaway is a wonderful opportunity to see firsthand how this family-owned business is making a difference in the lives of Rhode Island students and families.”
Fernandez said the supply drive was pulled together quickly with the help of staff.
“Our team sat down to brainstorm, and we came up with a list,” he said. “It’s nice to follow up on something we said we were going to do.”
The initiative marks the start of a one year anniversary celebration that will continue next week with customer appreciation days at all three stores.
On Saturday, Sept. 14, the markets will host BBQs with fun family activities, food sampling, face painting, a live DJ, raffle prizes, and more. The events, originally scheduled to take place this week but postponed due to the expected rain on Saturday, will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the stores at 900 Victory Highway, Slatersville; 54 Sayles Ave, Pascoag; and 25 Village Plaza Way, North Scituate.
The celebration will continue through Thursday, Oct. 3 with specials throughout the stores.
Of the school donations, Fernandez said he hopes to continue and expand the effort.
“Next year, I’m hoping to make it twice as big,” he said. “It’s the start of something, hopefully.”
