Festival Foods Donates $150K in 2016

Festival Foods' two fundraising programs – Food for Neighbors and Paw Away Hunger – raised nearly $150,000 in 2016 and almost $1.4 million since the inception of the programs.

Customers purchase reusable bags for $5 or $10 at the register. Each purchase provides a donation of food and supplies to local organizations and 100 percent of all donations stay within the community where they were collected. In total, 40 Wisconsin food pantries and 29 Wisconsin animal organizations benefit from the donation programs. In 2017, the programs will be updated so customers purchase donation cards in $5 or $10 amounts to be displayed in the store, which will increase the visibility of the programs.

Food for Neighbors began in 2004 in eight stores but had expanded companywide by 2012; Paw Away Hunger began shortly thereafter.

The company’s employees also donated more than $8,500 to Wisconsin food pantries with the Jeans Day program, which allows employees a more relaxed dress code on designated days in exchange for a small charitable donation.

 "Our guests and associates are making a positive impact in their local communities with every contribution to Food for Neighbors, Paw Away Hunger and Jeans Day," said Mark Skogen, Festival Foods president and CEO.

Festival Foods operates 26 supermarkets in Wisconsin, employing 6,500 associates.