Milwaukee, Wis. – Continuing its commitment to community service and its ongoing partnership with Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, tomorrow Sendik’s Food Markets will donate 58,000 pounds of food and more than $44,000 to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. Two semi-trailers will arrive with the products at Feeding America, 1700 West Fond Du Lac Avenue, at 10:30 a.m.

A new, unique aspect to the promotion this year was the “Do the Cluck, Fill the Truck” event on Saturday, October 15, 2011. For every customer that signed up for the Sendik’s Fan Club and did the Chicken Dance, Sendik’s donated five meals to Feeding America. A $1 donation also provided the same five-meal donation.

With the help of generous customers, the Balistreri-owned-and-operated grocery stores also gathered donations from August through October with a variety of in-store activities:

• Sendik’s Real Food Magazine: 100% of proceeds from sale benefited Feeding America
• Backpack Buddies: Proceeds from Backpack Buddies provided a backpack filled with school supplies for needy children in the Milwaukee area.
• Mac & Cheese Promotion: For every box of Shurfresh macaroni and cheese sold, Sendik’s donated one box to Feeding America.
• Sendik’s Food Drive: Customers purchased a $10, $20 or $50 bag of groceries to help feed hungry families.
• Keep the Change for Feeding America: Customers had the opportunity to round up their receipt total to the nearest dollar for Feeding America.

“We are so happy to be able to make this donation,” said Nick Balistreri, who owns Sendik’s, along with brothers Ted and Patrick, and sister, Margaret Harris. “Our customers and associates have been so generous throughout the promotion and Feeding America has been a great partner. It feels great to be able to come together to help our community, especially when so many families are in need.”

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About Sendik’s Food Markets: Since 1926, the Balistreri family has been serving the greater Milwaukee community by combining quality food products with exceptional customer service. Their goal is to provide you with the best grocery shopping experience, period. Currently, Sendik’s Food Markets operates 10 stores throughout Southeastern Wisconsin: Whitefish Bay, Wauwatosa, Mequon, Grafton, Elm Grove, Franklin, Greenfield, Germantown, New Berlin, and West Bend.

Help Sendik’s Food Market Feed the Hungry 

WHO:             Sendik’s Food Market and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin

WHAT:          Customers sign up for Sendik’s Fan Club and do the Chicken Dance  - Sendik’s will donate five meals for every dance

WHEN:          Saturday, October 15, 2011  9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

WHERE:       Sendik’s Food Market – Elm Grove, Franklin, Germantown, Grafton, Greenfield, Mequon, New Berlin, Wauwatosa and Whitefish Bay 

Milwaukee, Wis. –Sendik’s Food Market and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin continue their partnership this fall with the “Do the Cluck, Fill the Truck” event to provide meals for families struggling with hunger. Come out and enjoy Sendik’s First Annual Fall Harvest Fest and strut your stuff for Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.  For every customer that signs up for the Sendik’s Fan Club and does the Chicken Dance, Sendik’s will donate five meals to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. If you don’t want to cluck, just give a buck, which will also provide five meals to Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin.

In the past two years, demand for food is up 21%. Many families are forced to choose between paying bills or providing food. 330,000 people rely on Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin each year, 105,000 of whom are children. Community support from businesses like Sendik’s, helps Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin to distribute over 15 million pounds of food each year to those in need.

We hope to see you dancing in the aisles Saturday, October 15 at Balistreri owned and operated Sendik’s Food Markets.

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330,000 people in eastern Wisconsin rely on food supplied by Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin each year.  The food bank is the largest, private, nonprofit distributor of food in the state. Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin distributes more than 15 million pounds of food annually to 1,000 food pantries, meal programs and shelters throughout eastern Wisconsin.  Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin is a member of Feeding America which is consistently ranked as one of the most efficient charities, out of the country’s 100 largest charities, by Forbes magazine.  Since 1982, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin has distributed more than 280 million pounds of food.  To learn more about hunger in Wisconsin, visit www.feedingamericawi.org. 

at Penfield Children’s Center

Who:    Penfield Children’s Center

Sendik’s Food Markets (Balistreri-owned-and-operated / the Red Bag Sendik’s)

What:   Balistreri-owned-and-operated Sendik’s Food Markets will present Penfield Children’s Center with a very generous donation check in the amount of $50,000 prior to the first pitch at the Aug. 26 Brewers home game at Miller Park. This grant will support a new healthy-eating and nutrition initiative at Penfield Children’s Center that will launch in fall 2011. Recognizing the impact healthy eating habits and good nutrition have on early childhood development, the “Healthy Habits, Strong Kids” program will feature family centered cooking classes, creative craft activities and more to encourage positive food experiences. All funds raised by Sendik’s were made possible by Sendik’s customers who purchased the summer issue of Sendik’s Real Food Magazine, as well as other promotions like sales from miniature American flags and lollipops in all 9 of its stores.

“We are thrilled to partner with Sendik’s Food Markets and their customers to create the ‘Healthy Habits, Strong Kids’ program at the center,” said Christine Holmes, president of Penfield Children’s Center. “Research has shed light on the significant impact good nutrition has on encouraging positive development in young children, especially those with special needs. Through this initiative, we can promote healthy habits to ensure our children and their families are not only more knowledgeable about the benefits of wholesome foods, but also know how to use them to their best advantage.”

When:  6:30p.m. Friday, Aug. 26

Where: Homeplate (On field)

Miller Park

1 Brewers Way
Milwaukee, WI 53214

Additional information:           

To learn more about Penfield Children’s Center, please visit www.penfieldchildren.org.

Contact Information:

Cory King, Penfield Children’s Center

414-345-6306

coryking@penfieldchildren.org

Robyn Swernoff, Cramer-Krasselt

414-227-3536

rswernoff@c-k.com

About Penfield Children’s Center

Penfield Children’s Center, located in Milwaukee, is a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to help infants and young children, with and without disabilities, reach their full potential through education, therapy services and family programs. Penfield serves approximately 1,400 children each year through its Therapy, Behavioral, Nursery and Child Care programming. The organization is named in honor of Dr. Wilder Penfield (1891-1976), a world-renowned neurosurgeon who strongly advocated early intervention for children with developmental delays and disabilities. To learn more about Penfield, please visit www.penfieldchildren.org.

July 5th, 2011

For your information:
Ted Balistreri

Patrick Balistreri

Nick Balistreri

414-964-9525

Sendik’s Confirms 10^th Location in West Bend

Whitefish Bay, WI – Balistreri Owned and Operated Sendik’s Food Markets (the Red Bag Sendik’s) confirmed today that they will bring their upscale shopping experience to the residents of West Bend and surrounding communities.  The location of the approximately 50,000 square foot store will be 230 North 18^th Avenue, West Bend, in the former Sears Grand building.  The building will be completely renovated with space for additional tenants.  The projected opening is mid October.

The West Bend Sendik’s will boost employment in the area.  Patrick Balistreri, who owns Sendik’s, along with brothers Nick and Ted, and sister, Margaret Harris, says 160 employees will staff the new store.  The majority of the new associates will be from the West Bend area.  Overall, Sendik’s employs 1,500.

“Our reputation is built on high-quality products and selection along with impeccable service from our associates.  We recruit, train, and promote only the best employees to enhance the entire grocery shopping experience,” said Patrick Balistreri.

This will be the 10^th Sendik’s location for the family-owned and operated Balistreri Sendik’s.  Known as the “Red Bag” Sendik’s for the distinctive reusable red bag it offers, other locations are Whitefish Bay, Wauwatosa, Mequon, Grafton, Elm Grove, Franklin, Greenfield, Germantown, and New Berlin.

Patrick Balistreri concluded, “West Bend is an awesome community and we couldn’t be more pleased to be able to provide our quality food offerings and unparallelled service.”