Safeway Raises Money for Hunger Is

Safeway shoppers have the opportunity to fight childhood hunger in their own communities by giving to Hunger Is through an in-store fundraising campaign in September. With more than 120 stores in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C., Safeway is joining 2,300 stores nationwide in this new campaign called “Hungry for More,” focused on raising funds and awareness about the importance of daily breakfast for children.

The new “Hungry for More” campaign kicks off with the September in-store effort and will encourage our communities to unite, with the goal of getting a healthy breakfast to kids in our neighborhoods, and to reach a goal of providing five million breakfasts to children in need across the U.S. this year.  Hunger Is has seen continued success over the last three years, raising $12.5 million to date, and supporting local hunger based programs.

“I am so thrilled to see our communities coming together to support eradicating childhood hunger in America,” said Hunger Is Ambassador Viola Davis. “The ‘Hungry for More’ public awareness campaign is integral in educating the public on how severe childhood hunger is – in every community - in America. It also demonstrates the importance of children starting off their day with breakfast. They’re able to learn more, achieve greater success and live healthier. I am honored to continue to stand with my friends at the Albertsons Companies Foundation and the Entertainment Industry Foundation while working to put an end to this significant problem in our country.”

During September, Safeway shoppers can support Hunger Is in two ways. Shoppers can make a donation directly at checkout, or when they purchase select products, participating vendors will donate at least $0.10 per item to Hunger Is, up to $1 million.

“As a grocery company, we are integrally linked to the health and nourishment of people in our communities,” said Safeway Eastern Division President Dan Valenzuela. “We are pleased to include the Hunger Is campaign among our existing initiatives that focus on alleviating hunger. This program aims to raise awareness, crucial funds, encourage volunteerism and help undernourished children in the neighborhoods we serve.”

Currently just over half  of the 22 million children in the U.S. who are eligible for free or reduced-cost breakfast actually receive this most important meal of the day. Students qualifying for free or reduced-cost school lunch are automatically eligible for breakfast. However,  too many children don’t receive breakfast, either during the school year or when school is out of session.

Funds raised will go towards programs focused on eradicating childhood hunger and improving health-related outcomes for hungry children and their families. To date, Hunger Is has funded 252 programs that have helped local and regional programs provide breakfast and lunch when school is closed, and teach families how to most cost–effectively shop and cook healthy food on their limited food budgets.