To Our Valued Customers

Unlike what you normally hear from me, this is not another sales pitch. Instead, I wanted to share my thoughts and suggestions on the enormous challenges we are currently facing. In the past 10 days, all of our lives have changed in ways that no one ever imagined. Our minds are full of stress, being bombarded with a great deal of information each day and causing us to organize our lives differently. Many of our plans have been disrupted or even cancelled, resulting in lots of disappointment and anger. In response to these alterations I would urge you to be patient with yourself, your friends and family, and to all of those who are trying to ease the burdens. During a time of crisis, it is easy to only focus on the negatives, but as a community we have to be better than that. Take a look around and be inspired by the tremendous acts of kindness and demonstrations of human spirit. Our medical professionals, EMT’s, police and firefighters have been working tirelessly to help protect our community. Teachers and school systems have acted quickly in implementing measures that are in the best interest of our students. The politicians have minimized their differences and moved rapidly to deploy resources where needed. I have personally been humbled by witnessing the tremendous effort the ShopRite team has displayed while serving our friends and neighbors each day. Our team has extended shifts, worked tasks that are new and unusual, adapted to constantly changing procedures, and have kept up with the massive amount of cleaning and sanitizing required to maintain our facilities. All of this has occurred while facing the massive logistical challenges that are ongoing. I am so very proud of everyone in the ShopRite family and our community! I feel like we should also appreciate what such a situation has given us. In times of need we may wonder what more we can do, but instead we should see this as an opportunity for things we may not necessarily get to on a daily basis. So turn off the news for a little while each day and take the time with those you love. Prepare and enjoy a home cooked meal, play a board game at the kitchen table, experiment in the culinary arts, take time to call and talk with an old friend, connect with a family member that you may have lost touch with, write down your thoughts, plant some flowers or even better a garden, take the time to learn a new skill, read a book or reconnect with the Good Book, check on your family, friends, and neighbors, especially those with special needs, smile proudly and just breathe. During the first major trauma in my own life, my Aunt Ruthanne sent me a card and eloquently wrote, “Through the Darkest and Stormiest Times Come the Most Beautiful Rainbows.” I have never forgotten that 35 year old message, and its relevance today is much greater than ever before. Think optimistically to make the most of this trying time. See what is around you that maybe you can take more time for, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. If these times are extraordinarily hard then do not be afraid to reach out to those who can help. This community is not one to let people fall and we will all do our best to offer assistance. Thank you all for your time.