Cheerios by the numbers: How much good is in a box?

150,000 Cheerios boxes will be specially printed with a photo of ShopRite employees from around the region. Two are from the Flemington-area store. Watch video

RARITAN TWP. -- ShopRite's Partners in Caring initiative has been raising money and support for local food pantries, food banks and soup kitchens since 1999. The effort hit a milestone this year with $40 million in donations.

The ShopRites in the Northeast -- New Jersey, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Delaware -- that are most successful in the campaign send two representatives to a group photo shoot, and their picture ends up on Cheerios boxes throughout the region.

Here are some facts about the campaign:

* $3 million: The amount ShopRite is contributing this year toward fighting hunger.

* 15: The number of years ShopeRite associates in the Flemington area have been on boxes of Cheerios. The contest, run by ShopRite Partners in Caring and General Mills, started in 2001, and the Flemington-area store associates haven't missed a year of winning a spot on the box.

Helping to feed the hungry

* 6: The number of associates from Hunterdon and Warren counties who are on boxes this year: Chris Schibel and Susan Weller from the Flemington-area store; Kaitlyn Mann and Sally Webb from the Greenwich store; and Terri Linzer and Ryan Piesla from the Clinton-area ShopRite.

* 150,000: The number of boxes specially printed with the group photo which will be distributed only to ShopRite stores.

* 40: The number of stores chosen to be featured on the boxes. How were Schibel and Weller selected? Weller is the cashier who raised the most in donations. Schibel, for four years, has donated his time and talents to do a portrait of the pet who wins the store's annual pet calendar contest.

* Buffalo: The location of the General Mills plant producing these boxes of Cheerios.

* $40 million: The amount raised by ShopRite's Partners in Caring. "Probably 120 stores submit entries, and we only choose 40," said General Mills sales manager Tony Piela.

Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.