The original article below can be found on The Patch.
HAMDEN, CT —  After a lucky customer won $100,000 on a Cash5 Lottery drawing from a ticket that was purchased at Stop & Shop in Hamden, the company announced it is donating its retailer selling bonus to the Keefe Community Center. Stop & Shop made a similar donation to a food pantry in Fairfield after a customer there also won $100,000 on a Cash5 ticket.Stop & Shop in Hamden, located at 2335 Dixwell Avenue, received a $1,000 retailer selling bonus after a customer purchased a first-prize winning ticket valued at $100,000 in the June 9 Cash5 Lottery drawing. The store donated that bonus to the Keefe Community Center, which provides emergency services to Hamden residents in need through its food bank, shelter to families displaced by fire, or assistance to families facing heating emergencies during the cold winter months. Stop & Shop’s $1,000 donation will be directed toward the organization’s hunger-relief efforts, according to company officials.”We at Stop & Shop wanted to share our good fortune with our community,” Hamden Store Manager Randy Bellair said. “The Keefe Community Center is a vital part of Hamden and Stop & Shop is honored to be able to support their good work.”

Y’Isiah Lopes, Community Services Coordinator for the Keefe Community Center, said: “The Keefe Community Center is grateful to Stop & Shop for helping us serve our community through this generous donation. We would not be able to have the impact that we do without this type of support.”

Thirty miles south of Hamden, Stop & Shop Fairfield (760 Villa Ave.) donated its $1,000 retailer selling bonus from the sale of another $100,000 Cash5 lottery ticket from the June 25 drawing to Operation Hope.

Operation Hope provides programs and services focused on eliminating hunger and homelessness, helping people solve their crises and build stability in an environment in which compassion inspires dignity and hope.

Briana Leger, Store Manager of the Fairfield Stop & Shop, called Operation Hope a community beacon.

“The compassionate work that they do to assist members of the Fairfield community in need is most impressive,” she said. “Stop & Shop is very pleased that we are able to provide them with additional funds to continue their mission.”

Carla Miklos, the Executive Director of Operation Hope, said: “Stop & Shop’s generosity is greatly appreciated. They are sending a message that they care about all the residents of Fairfield and are doing their part to assist organizations like Operation Hope in providing for the most vulnerable in our community.”

Greg Smith, CT Lottery President and CEO, said: “We are impressed that Stop & Shop has made the generous decision to donate its retailer selling bonuses to local organizations that help so many in Southern CT. We are lucky to have such compassionate retail partners.”