Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy (RSCP), a New Jersey-based nonprofit, was named July’s beneficiary of Basie Center and Bank of America’s year-long initiative called ‘The Giving Year’ wherein they recognize and reward one organization every month in 2023 for their contributions to the regional community.

As a beneficiary, the pharmacy will receive US$ 1 for every ticket sold at the Count Basie Center for the Arts in July along with tickets for the organization’s clientele and volunteers. The renowned performing arts center in Red Bank, New Jersey frequently hosts theatre, musical, comedy and poetry shows among others.

Established in 2022, the pharmacy works toward providing free prescription medicines to the uninsured and underserved communities, living at or below 300 per cent of the federal poverty level. The other focus areas include increasing access to immunizations, health education, and pharmacy services to reduce clinical and social health inequities in New Jersey’s Monmouth County community.

Indian American Ritesh Shah, a registered pharmacist is the founder and trustee of the pharmacy. His wife Asha Shah also serves as the trustee and pharmacist-in-charge at RSCP.  “The support and recognition from the Count Basie Center and Bank of America reaffirm the importance of our mission,” they said of the honor.

“This exposure will raise awareness about the critical role of accessible healthcare and inspire others to join us in our mission. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the well-being of our community members and empower them to lead healthier lives,” the couple added.

Albert Garofalo, president of Bank of America New Jersey said, “The Ritesh Shah Charitable Pharmacy is having a tremendous impact on underserved populations in the Monmouth County community. By partnering with the pharmacy, we hope to ensure that they can continue to reduce health disparities in our community by offering no-cost, life-saving medications, and meaningful health education while continuing to meet the local demand for these services for years to come.”