Does that mean we are distributing less food? Just the opposite. Starting in January, every pantry client that comes to shop with reusable bags will have their choice of a bonus item from our extras shelf. “We think this is really a win-win goal,” said Arm In Arm’s Director of Operations Margaret Cowell. “In addition to the many environmental benefits of moving away from single-use plastic, incorporating reusable bags into our pantries will allow us to serve more people. Valuable funds that we would have spent on plastic bags, can now be used to purchase more food for our shoppers.”
With the city of Trenton set to ban the use of single-use plastic bags at the end of 2020 and the state of New Jersey considering a ban of its own, the time is right to help our clients make the shift with an incentive based approach. To make this effort a success, there are a couple ways you can help.
Donate a reusable bag we can pass along to a family in need. If you’d like to fill the bag with a few canned goods first, even better! Until the end of the year, you can purchase reusable GIVE BACK WHERE IT COUNTS bags at ACME Markets in Yardville, NJ. Arm In Arm receives $1 for each bag sold.
We will also need to make sure our extras shelf is fully stocked so that clients can select an item for their participation. Personal care items such as soaps, shampoos, diapers, and feminine care products make a huge difference in people’s lives and can help encourage shoppers to join us in going green in 2020.