KEASBEY, N.J. — ShopRite has kicked off a campaign to thank the important healthcare workers, first responders and supermarket associates everywhere who are serving our communities through the COVID-19 crisis. The campaign, called Essential Thanks, gives everyone an opportunity to show their gratitude by posting a thank you note to COVID-19 frontline workers.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has put the spotlight on what it takes to keep our communities safe and healthy every day and in times of crisis,” said Joe Colalillo, chairman and CEO of Wakefern Food Corp. “We ask you to join us in thanking our store teams, warehouse workers, truck drivers, healthcare and all frontline workers for the incredible job they are doing each day by going to work to support and serve their communities.”

For each message of thanks people post through ShopRite’s newly created www.EssentialThanks.com website, ShopRite will donate one dollar to regional food banks for COVID-19 relief efforts.

Thank you notes can be uploaded directly to  www.EssentialThanks.com or by tagging #EssentialThanks on Instagram and Twitter. ShopRite is asking people to thank truck drivers, grocery store associates, warehouse workers, healthcare providers, first responders and other essential workers on the front lines during this national emergency.

All thank you messages should be posted between April 20 and June 30.  Wakefern Food Corp., the retailer-owned cooperative that includes supermarket banner brands ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer and Dearborn Market, will donate $1 for each message delivered during that time frame, up to a maximum donation of $500,000. The money will go to food banks in Wakefern’s trading area.

Earlier this month, Wakefern, through its ShopRite Partners In Caring Fund, donated $1 million to regional food banks to help meet the dramatic increase in demand for food and essentials during the COVID-19 pandemic.

More details about the #EssentialThanks campaign are available through ShopRite Facebook pages, TV commercials and by visiting the specially created website, www.EssentialThanks.com