IGA Cares Takes Aim at Opioid Scourge

IGA USA has joined forces with Partnership for Drug-Free Kids to introduce the inaugural IGA Cares initiative. Through in-store fundraising activities, including an in-store pinup campaign due to start midmonth and run through October, and the sales of specially marked IGA Exclusive Brand products until December, the initiative will support the nonprofit partnership’s mission to support families dealing with a child’s substance use. The national campaign, which began in participating IGA stores on Aug. 1, aims to raise both critical funds and awareness to help end the U.S. opioid epidemic.

“For more than 90 years now, IGA retailers have been building the brand’s reputation by doing their part to give back and support worthy causes in the communities they serve,” noted Dave Bennett, SVP of procurement and private brands at Chicago-based IGA. “It is only natural that we would use the power of our IGA Exclusive Brand line to align IGA and its retailers with the causes that matter to today’s consumer on a national level as well. Working with Partnership for Drug-Free Kids to raise awareness and funds during our first-ever IGA Cares initiative, we can do our part to make sure families in IGA communities across the country who are impacted by their son or daughter’s substance use don’t have to suffer alone.”

“With the launch of this inaugural IGA Cares initiative, IGA is demonstrating the true spirit of corporate social responsibility and solidifying their commitment to making a difference in the lives of so many families,” added Marcia Lee Taylor, chief policy advisor for New York-based Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. “We are honored that IGA has chosen to partner with us, especially at this critical time when the country is facing an urgent opioid epidemic. Through this effort, IGA will help us support parents and families who are dealing with a child’s substance use or addiction, and in doing so, they will undoubtedly help local IGA communities nationwide.”

IGA is the world’s largest voluntary supermarket network, comprising nearly 5,000 Hometown Proud Supermarkets worldwide, supported by 29 distribution centers and 30-plus major manufacturers, vendors and suppliers. It has operations in 46 states and more than 32 countries, commonwealths and territories.