The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
'Supermarket Sweep' helps refill FIA pantry
By Edward Freundl, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: June 5, 2008
It only took five minutes, and when it was over they needed a cleanup in Aisle 5.
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American 1 Federal Credit Union celebrated the grand opening of its branch inside the Polly's County Market on South Main Street on May 28 by coming up with a way to have fun, involve the community and benefit a worthwhile charity all at once.
The credit union and grocery store recruited local companies and non-profit organizations for a "Supermarket Sweep" to restock the Faith In Action food pantry.
The event began at about 11 a.m. May 28 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring American 1 President and CEO Dave Puckett, Branch Manager Sharon Hayes, and Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bob Pierce.
Then the 12 three-person teams lined up their grocery carts at the checkout lanes, waiting for the signal to start the sweep.
Employees were posted at both ends of each aisle to ensure adherence to the rules, which were simple:
Each team member had to keep at least one hand on the cart at all times, they could choose from a variety of items that were clearly marked on the shelves, and they had only five minutes to collect as many items as they could.
When the starting signal was given, the teams raced through the store, skidding around corners and catching bewildered regular shoppers unaware.
"This is our first Supermarket Sweep event here; we did it in Jackson when we opened a branch at Felpausch in Jackson a few years ago," said Kristi Latoszewski, vice president of Marketing for American 1.
"All groceries collected will be donated to the Faith In Action food pantry."
Accidents can happen even when shopping at normal speeds, and this was no different.
After five minutes of carts jostling their way through the aisles a large jar of grape jelly lay shattered, great lumps of purple goo staining the tile floor.
It was a worthwhile sacrifice, however, because when all the teams had cleared the checkouts, more than 500 items valued at just under $1,400 had been collected for the food pantry.
"American 1 and Polly's will be paying the bill for the food, and the teams donated their time," Latoszewski said.
Following all the excitement, the teams loaded a pickup truck with the bags of food and were treated to free hot dogs, chips and refreshments outside the store's main entrance.
"American 1 is committed to the communities we serve; this is just the beginning of what we plan to offer the Chelsea community," Latoszewski said.
"We plan on sponsoring more fun family events."
Pierce said he was involved with FIA as a business owner long before he became associated with the Chamber.
"Faith In Action is truly unique; it's one of the most outstanding organizations in Chelsea," he said.
"Summer is their slow time for food donations and they really need them.
"With the kids home from school and the usual donors on vacation, the need increases," Pierce added.
FIA Program Manager Doug Smith appeared stunned by the truck filled with supplies.
"This is awesome," he said.
"The generosity of this community is amazing. Whenever we ask for help, they always come out to help us."
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