United Way shopping spree haul donated to Westmoreland food bank

Sarah Garrison had to drive all the way from Fairmont, W.Va., to Greensburg to do her grocery shopping Wednesday morning.

It was for a good cause: The Murrysville native’s mother, Kathleen Maurer, was chosen for the United Way’s annual shopping spree at the Charley Family Shop ’n Save on North Main Street. This year’s spree was for the Westmoreland County Food Bank, a frequent beneficiary, and Maurer opted for a younger set of legs to do the running necessary to fill a cart in just a few minutes.

“We almost give them a shopping list of the things we’re looking for,” said food bank Executive Director Jen Miller. “Canned proteins are always a go-to, like tuna and peanut butter. That and boxed goods and meals.”

Shop ’n Save was a little light on tuna with the spree falling on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. But it didn’t slow Garrison one bit.

“I tried to see what aisles things were in ahead of time,” Garrison said. “I wanted to get the peanut butter and canned goods first. But once I was in the moment, I kind of forgot where a few things were.”

After finishing the three-minute shopping spree and checking out, Garrison had gathered more than $450 worth of items for the food bank.

“I love the chaos in the store as they run around gathering food, and seeing the giant receipt that comes out of the register at the end,” said Charley Family Shop ’n Save owner Tom Charley, who livestreamed the spree. “This is my favorite event that we do each year.”

Amy Franz, United Way’s regional vice president for the five counties in Southwestern Pennsylvania, said the support from the Charley family is part of what makes the annual spree special.

“This allows them to support the community through the United Way, and in turn support a local group like the Westmoreland County Food Bank,” she said.

With the increased cost of groceries, not only is shopping more costly, but choosing to purchase and donate them is also more expensive.

“Things are a little harder than they used to be, so this is certainly helpful from that perspective,” Franz said.

Garrison agreed.

“My favorite part was they told me what they needed, and I had that in my head the whole time,” she said. “I knew I was helping people, and that makes me feel good.”

Maurer also received a $250 gift certificate from Shop ’n Save for being chosen to participate in the spree.