A group of 137 IGA retailers serving communities in the western United States have partnered with JDRF, the leading global charitable supporter of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research working to discover, develop and deliver advances that cure, better treat and prevent T1D. The IGA retailers are kicking off their new relationship with JDRF with an education and “paper sneakers” sales campaign that runs Feb. 6-March 26 in their local independent grocery stores.
Colorful JDRF paper sneakers, which shoppers can sign and have posted for others to see, will be sold for $1 at the stores’ check stands. As the number of sneakers hanging in the stores increases and shoppers learn more about T1D, the retailers believe their grassroots efforts can make a significant impact in the lives of those dealing with this serious disease. All funds raised at the stores through the campaign will go directly to each store’s local community chapter of JDRF.
Mike Trask, owner of Granite Falls IGA Market Fresh in Granite Falls, Wash., explained, “Supporting causes that help people in our local communities live healthier and better lives is a very important part of our IGA culture. Our partnership with JDRF and the upcoming sneaker sales campaign ties nicely with IGA’s annual ‘Hometown Healthy Challenge’ and we look forward to building on the campaign’s success each year through the generosity and support of our local shoppers.”
“We’re thrilled and enormously thankful to all IGA retailers and their customers who participate in this important campaign,” said Larry Meisner, JDRF’s California regional director. “For those 3 million individuals currently living with T1D and the 30,000 children and adults who will be diagnosed each year with this life-altering autoimmune disease, corporate and community support on the scale of what IGA is implementing makes a measurable difference in the advancement of life-saving research.”
