Salvation Army Family Stores set to reopen
HUDSON – The Salvation Army is set to open its stores in the New York Capital Region on June 3. The stores closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic but are now ready to welcome shoppers with bargain-priced clothing, household items, electronics, books, toys, furniture and collectables.
The stores employ approximately 100 people who are anxious to return and—thanks to donations from the community—provides assistance for people who are struggling with alcohol, drugs, and other life issues, since revenues from the Family Stores support the charity’s rehabilitation center. The center offers services free of charge, and sales from the Family Thrift stores are its sole source of funding. The rehabilitation center has remained open throughout the pandemic without its usual funding. Families in need also receive vouchers for free furniture or clothing from the stores through other Salvation Army programs.
“Our rehabilitation center has been operating throughout the pandemic, and our expenses have carried on. We’re excited to reopen for that reason, but we’ve also heard from our customer and donors that they’re anxious to return, as well, and we look forward to welcoming them back,” Major Joy Labbe who oversees The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Albany, said in a press release.
Tax receipts will be provided on-the-spot for any donations received during donation hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org.
Stewart’s Shops offers blood donors a sweet reward
ALBANY – For a fifth year, Stewart’s Shops is treating Red Cross blood donors to free pints of ice cream as part of the “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” program. From June 1 to 30, presenting donors at blood drives in 26 counties across upstate New York will receive a voucher for a free pint of Stewart’s Shops ice cream or gelato that can be redeemed at any Stewart’s Shops location.
Since the “Give a Pint, Get a Pint” program began in June 2016, more than 21,000 blood donations have been collected in participating counties.
“The summer season looks a little bit different for us all, however we are so grateful to continue our partnership with Stewart’s Shops and the ‘Give a Pint, Get a Pint’ promotion to recognize blood donors, especially during these challenging times. We hope our blood donors can find a little joy in receiving a pint of ice cream or gelato as a thank you for rolling up a sleeve and supporting their community.” Sonja Ronovech, district manager of the Red Cross Eastern New York Blood Services Region, said in a press release.
This campaign comes as the Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donations to prevent another blood shortage as hospitals resume surgical procedures and patient treatments that were temporarily paused earlier this spring in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Red Cross must collect nearly 13,000 blood donations every day to help accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.
Gary Dake, Stewart’s Shops president and long-term blood donor said, also in the release, “The need for blood never stops, even during a pandemic. We encourage anyone to donate blood if they can, and then come visit us to get a pint of Stewart’s delicious ice cream or gelato.”
How to donate blood: download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.
ShopRite dietitians offer expanded online services
HUDSON – Over the past few months, many Americans have been eating more home-cooked meals than ever before and exploring new ways to prepare healthy, delicious dishes. To help those who may feel challenged by the daily ritual of meal prepping, recipe hunting and of course, cooking, ShopRite’s team of dietitians are increasing their digital presence by offering free advice, tools and resources that provide meal solutions and assistance.
“These days, more than ever before, our customers are seeking new and creative ways to serve meals that are good for their families, affordable and easy to prepare. That’s why we are so proud of our team of registered dietitians who are ‘going digital,’ and offering a wide variety of resources to our customers and our associates using social media platforms, online resources and more.” Natalie Menza-Crowe, RD, MS, director of Health & Wellness at ShopRite, said in a press release.
Some of the ways ShopRite’s dietitians are helping shoppers with meal planning and prep include: offering personalized food and nutrition advice using a ‘Virtual RD’ chat box available on shoprite.com/welleveryday; offering personalized consultations, available by appointment; hosting Instagram Lives weekdays at noon at @ShopRiteStores, and weekly “Wellness Wednesday” Facebook Live videos with the Rds; providing free, downloadable monthly digital recipes books as well as customized recipe suggestions via ShopRite’s “Recipe Shop” portal at shoprite.com/welleveryday; and providing meal ideas and video how-tos at shoprite.com/mealsmadewell.