Shop2Care App to Benefit San Antonio Food Bank

Innovative Shopping App to Assist in Raising Awareness and Funds for 16 Counties Served by the San Antonio Food Bank

SAN ANTONIO, TX / ACCESSWIRE / August 26, 2015 / In many other parts of the world millions of people go to bed hungry not knowing when or where their next meal will come from. In Bexar County and the 15 surrounding counties that include Edwards, Kerr, La Salle, Medina, Uvalde, Atascosa, Real, Wilson, Guadalupe, Comal, Karnes, Kendall, Zavala, Bandera and Frio over 500,000 people go hungry every year. While the San Antonio Food Bank has many programs in place to feed those who go hungry in these counties, Shop2Care is furthering their efforts through its innovative and out-of-the-box program which promotes awareness of hunger in San Antonio and raises funds for San Antonio Food Bank constituents, at no additional cost to consumers or supporters.

Shop2Care is a not-for-profit online charitable shopping program that was launched in September of 2014 by founder Mark Asofsky to impact those in need throughout the United States. This nonprofit entity enables consumers to become philanthropists every time they shop at any one of 1,000 participating retailer links through shop2care.org or the soon to be unveiled App to be introduced in San Antonio. Asofsky has chosen the San Antonio community as its first location to make a significant impact. The Shop2Care App makes it even easier for consumers to shop on their Smartphones or Tablets as they make a difference right from the comfort of their own homes. After registering on the App with enrollment code SAFB, each shopping generated donation dollar provides seven meals to San Antonians who go hungry. On average, 5% of each purchase is paid by the retailer, donated by the consumer, and then directed to the San Antonio Food Bank at no additional cost to the shopper. Shop2Care will officially launch their App nationwide in San Antonio at a major press conference to be held at 2 pm on Thursday, September 3, 2015 at the San Antonio Food Bank’s main location at 5200 Old Hwy 90 West. This will initiate Shop2Care’s concentrated efforts in San Antonio. Key community representatives and leaders from all 16 counties will be invited to attend the event and see how easy it is to download the App and complete the 30 second registration using enrollment code SAFB. Then, they will be encouraged to shop and benefit their respective communities from this innovative philanthropic effort that supports the San Antonio Food Bank.

According to Mark Asofsky, “Shop2Care enables shoppers to give back to the San Antonio Food Bank simply by shopping at their favorite online retailers through the Shop2Care App or at shop2care.org/safb/.” He added, “It’s simple and easy for people to register and shop through Shop2Care and a portion of their purchases will go towards helping to feed the hungry in 16 counties in the Southwest Texas area. As a result, Shop2Care enables consumers to make a dent in the fight against hunger and it doesn’t cost them a penny.” With the wide variety of categories and retailers Shop2Care has partnered with, such as Best Buy, Macy’s, Walgreens, Amazon and Home Depot, Asofsky feels it is likely that individuals are already shopping at many participating retailers, so why not give back by shopping through the new App or at shop2care.org/safb/.

Press conference attendees can promote participation in their respective home locales in order to increase Shop2Care exposure. Eric Cooper, San Antonio Food Bank President and CEO adds, “Educating and informing residents in all 16 counties will be a very important factor, enabling more individuals to participate in Shop2Care and play an integral part in feeding the hungry in our communities.”

The Shop2Care App can facilitate partnerships with schools, military groups, and various associations, municipal and civic organizations. In addition, the App provides an easy gateway for corporate enrollment drives and challenges. All of this will serve to increase participation in Shop2Care and harness the collective purchasing power of socially-minded shoppers within Southwest Texas to benefit the Food Bank. Groups, who enroll in corporate enrollment drives or challenges, can remind employees to shop through Shop2Care and encourage family and friends by email and social media to participate in the campaign. As further impetus to benefit the Food Bank, Shop2Care will donate an additional seven meals for each of the first 10,000 people who both register and shop through Shop2Care during the month of September.

During National Hunger Awareness Month in September or as it’s known in San Antonio: SA Goes Orange for Hunger, Shop2Care will be featured as one of the main programs and will also have a presence at key events throughout the Bexar County area. In addition, Shop2Care will also support and promote the Brown Bag Challenge campaign during September and October. More information on the Brown Bag Challenge can be found at www.safoodbank.org/brownbag.

Efforts to raise funds simply by shopping through Shop2Care will continue through Thanksgiving, the Holiday season and beyond. The Shop2Care experience in San Antonio will serve as a catalyst to promote philanthropy in other markets and ultimately throughout the country. Individuals will recognize that each person can make a difference, while everyone can make an impact.

About Shop2Care

Shop2Care was founded in September, 2014. Its mission is to enable everyone to become a philanthropist, generate money for worthy causes, highlight effective nonprofit agencies and exemplify successful social entrepreneurship. Shop2Care’s professional philanthropists search for the most effective agencies throughout the U.S. to ensure resources are targeted to create the greatest societal benefit. The organization’s operating expenses are underwritten by corporations, private foundations and individuals. More about Shop2Care and its national platform can be found on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and their website at www.shop2care.org.

About the San Antonio Food Bank

The San Antonio Food Bank provides food and grocery products to more than 500 partner agencies in 16 counties throughout Southwest Texas. In FY2014, the San Antonio Food Bank provided nearly 50 million pounds of food. The mission of the SAFB is to fight hunger in Southwest Texas through food distribution, programs, education, and advocacy. The SAFB has been awarded “Charity Navigator’s” Highest 4 Star Award and is a member of Feeding America, Feeding Texas, United Way and Haven for Hope. To contact the San Antonio Food Bank, call 210-337-3663 or visit their website: www.safoodbank.org.

Media Contact:

Wanda Reyes-Rice
210-827-3744
www.shop2care.org

SOURCE: Shop2Care

ReleaseID: 431545