By:Al Wicklund
MONROE Normally reserved for athletes, the current main panel of some 70,000 Cheerios cereal boxes puts the members of athletic teams aside to feature a different kind of team Team Cheerios, 58 ShopRite employees involved in a battle against hunger.
Nicole Williams of Spotswood Englishtown Road, a human resources specialist for the supermarket chain working in the Spotswood store, is among the group of honored employees
The employees were cited for “going above and beyond normal efforts in their mission to help the hungry in their communities,” said Cathy Houston of the Wakefern Food Corp., ShopRite’s parent organization.
Steve Popek, assistant store director, said Ms. Williams was a good choice to represent the best of those who work in store events that support the feeding of those in need of help while getting through difficult financial times.
“Nicole is heavily involved in planning, developing and following through on community events that benefit families short on resources,” he said.
He also said she is the consummate team player and works well with the store and department managers.
“Nicole is conscientious about people’s needs and the store’s needs,” Mr. Popek said.
Ms. Williams said she and her fellow employees get a sense of satisfaction when they can help feed families.
“Our associates contribute and work in drives drives for coats, books and toys as well as food drives,” she said.
Ms. Williams said the Cheerios boxes featuring ShopRite workers, a limited edition, could some day become collectibles, but she isn’t collecting them.
“I bought one box, but we have another in the family. My mother bought one to give to my daughter,” she said.
She said one of the bonuses derived from having her picture on the box is the positive reaction from fellow employees.
“I’ve received congratulations from a lot of people, many of whom I deal with on the phone but have never met face-to-face,” she said.
Ms. Williams has worked for ShopRite since 1999. As a human resources specialist she is involved in personnel matters.
“I recruit, hire and train part-time associates,” she said.
Ms. Williams said it’s sometimes plain to see that some people in the area aren’t doing well economically.
“We try to work with local agencies to help in any way we can,” she said.
Ms. Houston said ShopRite, through its Partners in Caring program, has a year-round, community-based effort that donates funds to fight hunger in areas served by ShopRite stores.
“This year, the program is donating $2 million through its network of stores in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Delaware,” she said.
Ms. Williams said hunger is “a hidden problem” in the area.
“Every day families in our area quietly struggle to survive. These working families’ low wages are not enough to cover housing costs, medical expenses, children, transportation, clothing and food. The public’s awareness of the problems these families face has to be raised,” she said.
