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Raley’s raises over $3 million for local food banks

Donations in Food for Families annual holiday drive will provide more than 3 million meals

Michael Browne, Executive Editor

January 14, 2021

2 Min Read
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While this year’s Annual Holiday Drive has ended, Raley’s continues to accept donations year-round at checkstand PIN pads at all store locations and online.Raley's

West Sacramento, Calif.-based Raley’s raised over $3 million throughout the 2020 holiday season with its Food For Families Annual Holiday Drive — an increase of 43% in donations year over year. It was the largest amount ever donated in the retailer’s 35 years of hosting the event. 

The donations, which came from customers in-store and online between November 2 and December 31, will provide more than 3 million meals for those suffering from food insecurity in the chain’s markets of northern California and Nevada.  

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“The generosity we have seen this past year within the communities we serve is incredible,” said Becca Whitman, executive director of Raley’s Food For Families. “It is no secret that 2020 was an especially difficult year, so we cannot thank our customers enough for their outpouring of support to help their neighbors in need during even the toughest of times. They are the ones who truly deserve the recognition.”  

Raley’s Food For Families works year-round to alleviate hunger locally by partnering with 12 regional food banks. This year’s Annual Holiday Drive was especially important because these food banks, which typically serve 1.4 million food-insecure individuals each month, saw an increase of an average of 95% in those using their services in 2020. 

Related:Raley’s plans fourth appreciation pay bonus for hourly workers

While this year’s Annual Holiday Drive has ended, Raley’s continues to accept donations year-round at checkstand PIN pads at all store locations and online to support Food For Families. Donations stay local to aid the communities in which they were made, and Raley’s covers all administrative costs for Food For Families, ensuring 100% of donations benefit food bank partners and those in need. 

Raley’s Food For Families began as a holiday food drive in 1986 and was founded by co-chairman and owner Joyce Raley Teel and CEO emeritus Charles Collings. Over the past 35 years, the organization has raised over $42 million and 40 million pounds of food for needy families. 

Overall, Raley’s operates 127 grocery stores in California and Nevada under the Raley’s, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods, Food Source, Market 5-ONE-5 and Raley’s O-N-E Market banners.

About the Author

Michael Browne

Executive Editor, Supermarket News

Michael Browne joined Supermarket News in 2018 after serving in managing and executive editor capacities at leading B2B media brands including Convenience Store NewsLicense Global and Travel Agent. He also previously served as content production manager for print and digital in the Business Intelligence division of Informa, parent company of Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News.

As executive editor, Mike oversees the editorial content of supermarketnews.com as well as the monthly print publication. He also directs all content-based brand-related projects including the annual Top 75 Retailers report, Category Guide, Retailer of the Year, research surveys and special reports, as well as podcast and webinar content. Mike has also presented and moderated at industry events.

In addition to the positions mentioned above, Mike has also worked as a writer and/or editor for special projects at American Legal Media (ALM), managing editor for Tobacco International, special projects editor at American Banker • Bond Buyer, and as production editor for Bank Technology News and other related financial magazines and journals published by Faulkner & Gray.

A graduate of Fordham University, Mike is based in New York City, where he was born and raised.

Contact Mike at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.

 

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