HILLSBOROUGH: Supermarket effort raises $1,135 for food pantry

   Customers of the Stop & Shop supermarket in Hillsborough helped raise $1,135 through the store’s annual Food for Friends program. The money was donated to the Food Pantry of Hillsborough Township.
   ”We are overwhelmed by the generosity and support from our customers and associates for Food for Friends,” said Arlene Putterman, a store spokesperson. “We exceeded the (total) amount raised in 2009 by 40%. Even a tough economy could not dampen the spirit of giving that exists with the associates and customers in our communities.”
   Stop & Shop’s 21st annual campaign raised more than $2 million in its 392 stores in the Northeast. Sixty percent of the funds went directly to local food pantries that stores adopt in each community; 40 percent was allocated to regional state food banks.
   The Food for Friends program ran from Oct. 29 to Dec.10. Customers typically donated $1, $3 or $5 “paper turkeys” at the store. Customer contributions accounted for 90% of the $2 million.