Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, extreme-value grocery retailer, this week, launched its ninth consecutive Independence from Hunger (IFH) food drive to combat food insecurity.
From June 26 – July 31, the month-long campaign will collect cash donations and pre-made bags of nonperishable foods in-store at Grocery Outlet’s locations that will be distributed directly to local food agencies across the country, including MEND (Meet Each Need with Dignity) and Burbank Temporary Aid in the San Fernando Valley.
“In any given year, more than a million residents of our county struggle to put food on the table,” said Janet Marinaccio, MEND President and CEO. “With school out for the summer, parents now have to provide lunch for their school-aged children. This can be an additional financial burden on low-income families.
“Partnering with the Sun Valley Grocery Outlet ensures that we have the resources to meet the need. Their fundraising efforts will not only supply funds for our program, it will also provide us with nonperishable food items that will go out directly to our clients.”
According to the USDA’s latest analysis of Food Insecurity in America, 15 million households suffer limited access to food sources and suffer from food insecurity (USDA, Household Food Security in the United States in 2017). In addition, according to the organization Feeding America, one in six Latino households suffers from food insecurity and one in four Latino children faces the risk of food insecurity.
“At Grocery Outlet, our main focus is offering value and giving back to our local communities. Each year, our success in doing so through IFH has grown due to the commitment of our employees, owner-operators and charitable partners,” said Eric Lindberg, CEO at Grocery Outlet, Inc.
Since its launch in 2011, the Independence from Hunger campaign efforts have collected more than $5 million nationwide.
Customers can contribute in various ways:
· Give $5, get $5. Donate $5 or more in a single transaction in-store or online and you will receive a coupon for $5 off a future purchase of $25 or more.
· Pick up a pre-made bag that is complete with an assortment of groceries selected by the local food agency and then place it in a collection bin at the front of the store.
“Since 1946, our core values have been built around our desire to both provide and give back to our local communities,” said MacGregor Read, Vice Chairman at Grocery Outlet, Inc. “Our customers and communities alike are the foundation of our success. We feel it’s important to continue supporting these communities in every way possible.”
For more information, visit GroceryOutlet.com.