Helping to provide critical assistance to those most in need, Stop & Shop on Dec. 12 donated 300 Hormel hams to the Rhode Island Community Food Bank at the supermarket’s Warwick Avenue location in Cranston.

“It goes a long way,” said Ozzy Monteiro, the store manager.

Lisa Roth Blackman, chief philanthropy officer for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank, said her organization serves more than 68,000 people across the state, which has the highest levels of food insecurity in New England, each month. She called the current holiday season a time of “unprecedented need” for food assistance in the Ocean State’s communities.

“It’s the highest on record,” she said, adding that the donated hams will go to families across the state.

She also praised Stop & Shop as a “tremendous partner” for the food bank, and lauded Hormel for its involvement.

Hormel reached out to Stop & Shop regarding the donation, which Joseph Musacchia, senior customer executive for Hormel Foods, said is part of a long-running effort his company has undertaken to provide food assistance.

“We’re extremely excited to give back to the communities,” he said.

For additional information regarding the food bank’s offerings and ways to donate, visit www.rifoodbank.org or call 942-6325.