Fresh & Easy Raises $1.3 Million for Schools

Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market helped raise more than $1.3 million for its third-annual Shop for Schools program.

Nearly 2,000 schools actively participated in Shop for Schools this school year. “I am thoroughly impressed that Fresh & Easy uses such an innovative and productive approach to becoming a welcome partner in its communities through assisting local schools,” said John P. Cole, a trustee for Nevada’s Clark County School District. “Although programs such as this should never be considered as a replacement of any of the state’s responsibility to adequately fund education, it does allow local schools to raise funds for a wide variety of program uses. These kinds of community partnerships are a much needed boost in difficult times such as these.”

Shop for Schools was launched as a pilot program in spring 2009, raising more than $130,000 for schools in California, Nevada and Arizona. Fresh & Easy brought the program back in fall 2009, raising another $670,000 for local schools.

“Shop for Schools is much more than just a fundraising program; it is a great way for us to connect directly with parents and teachers to work on the issues that are important for our neighbors,” said Tim Mason, Fresh & Easy CEO. “We are thrilled to see such an increase in participation and interest in the program this year and we know next year's program will be a success with even more partnership with our neighbors.”

Kindergarten through eighth-grade schools located within a 3-mile radius of any Fresh & Easy store can participate in the Shop for Schools program. For every $20 spent at a Fresh & Easy store from Sept. 15 through Dec. 31, 2010, participating schools received a $1 donation. In addition to collecting receipts, registered schools could also participate in Shopping Nights, which provided an opportunity to raise even more money. From 4 to 8 p.m. on each school’s designated shopping night, 5 percent of the total sales at the local Fresh & Easy store were donated to the school.

Fresh & Easy plans to bring the program back again in fall 2011 and offer online registration in mid-May. Visit www.freshandeasy.com/shopforschools for more information.

Fresh & Easy operates more than 170 stores in California, Arizona and Nevada.