Last updated on September 19th, 2022 at 10:18 am
Emeryville, California-based Grocery Outlet Bargain Market is holding its 10th consecutive Independence from Hunger Food Drive to combat food insecurity. Through July 31, the campaign will collect cash donations and pre-made bags of nonperishable foods in-store at Grocery Outlet’s 350 locations that will be distributed to local food agencies’ partners.
In addition to the local store donations, Grocery Outlet has initiated a “Million Dollar Match,” a pledge to match up to $1 million of donations made to the stores to multiply Independence from Hunger’s effort to support food agencies across the nation.
Food insecurity affects millions
According to the USDA’s latest analysis of Food Insecurity in America, 11 million households suffer limited access to food sources and suffer from food insecurity (USDA, Household Food Security in the United States in 2018). Each independently owned and operated Grocery Outlet store is committed to giving back to the local community and have partnered locally to bring the community together in providing families nutritious food.
This year, food agencies have experienced a growing need to provide food for children who have been prematurely released from annual school schedules due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has resulted in record lows for food bank inventories across the country.
“We feel it is more important than ever to help lessen the number of families across America at risk for food insecurity. This year, Grocery Outlet has pledged to match up to $1 million to support and expand the program’s effort,” said Eric Lindberg, CEO, said of the Independence from Hunger campaign. “Last year, with the overwhelming help of our community, our campaign funded over $2 million to those in need. In our 10th year, we are dedicated to make a greater impact.”
How to participate in Independence From Hunger campaign
Since its launch in 2011, the Independence from Hunger campaign efforts have collected more than $5 million nationwide. Customers can make a difference by visiting their local Grocery Outlet and participating in one of these steps:
- 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.
- Purchase 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.
- Make an in-store donation at the register. Donations will benefit that store’s local food agency partner. Donate $1, $5 or round up your change.
- Donate online by visiting GroceryOutlet.com/Donate. Online donations support the San Francisco bay area community through Grocery Outlet’s partnership with Alameda County Community Food Bank.
“With school closures resulting in record lows for food bank inventories across the country, we are once again reaching out to our loyal customers, employees and partners to join us and help support our neighbors in need,” said Lindberg. “Our goal is to continue providing access to high-quality and nutritious food for our local communities in need and this year have promised to match up to $1 million to support our store’s efforts.”
Grocery Outlet has stores in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington. A third-generation, family-led company founded in 1946, Grocery Outlet stores are run by an independent owner-operator in the local community.
