Tops partners with area schools for 'Share a Smile' initiative

Submitted by Tops Friendly Markets

Over the summer, Sharrell Treat, a resident of Van Nuys, California, reached out to Tops Friendly Markets consumer affairs wondering what could be done to spread more goodwill in the community – something she does every day in her own city by sharing positive affirmations.

While Sharrell has no ties to Buffalo, she was still struck by the resiliency of our community and felt we needed to continue acts of kindness toward one another. She felt strongly that we needed to teach this important life lesson to our youth.

The Tops public relations department joined forces with its community relations and consumer affairs teams and sprang into action working with two area schools to bring to life the “Share a Smile” program during the holiday season.

Tops enlisted the help of our area youth at Buffalo Public School 53 (BPS53) and Buffalo Public School 74 (BPS74), asking the students to visually depict any of the following positive statements on Tops brown paper grocery bags – or they could branch out!

√ Do your best

√ Be kind (be kind to yourself and others)

√ Dream big

√ Remember to smile

BPS53 loved the program so much that 200 students in the school in grades K-6 engaged in the activity. Bags will be distributed during the Thanksgiving holiday at the Tops Jefferson Avenue location!

To elongate the program’s impact, students at BPS73 will be spearheading the program during the Christmas holiday season.

Based in Williamsville, Tops Markets currently operates 148 grocery stores in New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, including five that are run by franchisees. For more information, visit www.topsmarkets.com.