BJ's announces adopt-a-school program beneficiaries

BJ's Wholesale Club has selected the elementary schools that are to benefit from the company's 2013-14 Adopt-a-School Program.

In its eighteenth year, the program has served more than 2,575 elementary schools across the company's 15-state footprint. Each school chosen this year will receive a $500 check to use for field trips, special events, new equipment or curriculum enhancements, as well as a one-year membership to the wholesale club.

"Supporting educational programs is an important focus area for BJ's Wholesale Club's charitable giving," said Jessica Newman, assistant VP of community affairs at BJ's Wholesale Club. "Our hope is that the schools use this business-to-school partnership to help provide students with opportunities they may not otherwise have."

The Fred C. Underhill School, BJ's 2013-14 adopted school in Hooksett, N.H., will use its donation for a community barbecue, which is intended to provide families with connections to local resources and which the school hopes will become an annual event.

"There is a lot of evidence that links a safe and positive school environment, coupled with an engaged local community, to successful students, and part of that positive school environment is to help children learn better communication and collaboration skills," said J. Andrew Bairstow, principal of the Fred C. Underhill School. "The more our schools and businesses can provide opportunities for children to utilize and see these skills modeled by all members of the school community, the better prepared the children will be on their journeys to college and career readiness."

BJ's carries more than 7,000 items, including supermarket-sized staples, USDA Choice meats, all-natural and certified organic products and stock-up items. BJ's touts itself as the only wholesale club to accept all manufacturers' coupons and offers the most payment options, including EBT.

Click here to see the list of schools.