Grocery Outlet Declares ‘Independence from Hunger’

During the month of July, extreme-discount banner Grocery Outlet is running a company-wide “Independence from Hunger” campaign, which unites the chain’s 152 stores in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Washington and their customers in an endeavor to help feed hungry and food-insecure people in their local communities. Shoppers and employees may donate food and cash to support area food assistance agencies.

“Our team of independent owners and operators are committed to supporting their local communities,” said Eric Lindberg, co-CEO of Berkeley, Calif.-based Grocery Outlet.

The grocer’s stores have teamed with local organizations to help feed the needy in their own towns. Stores will host a variety of events, among them educational seminars on local food assistance agencies and family-friendly festivals, to encourage donations and participation.

Grocery Outlet offers customers the following convenient in-store donating options:

• Specially marked food items that the local food assistance agencies currently need. Shoppers can buy those items and place them in the collection bins at the front of the stores.
• The ability to make cash donations at the register. Donations will go directly to the designated local food assistance agency.

The campaign is backed by radio advertising and collateral materials provided by Grocery Outlet headquarters, and the chain is holding the “Feed the Need” Facebook contest in which five customers will win a $100 donation to the nonprofit charity of their choice, along with a $100 Grocery Outlet gift card for their own use. The contest runs through July 31, with details available at www.facebook.com/GroceryOutletInc.