Elk Grove, CA – With
1 in 6 Americans facing hunger, food insecurity is one of the most challenging
issues facing our nation today. Not to mention that families in need are also
substantially less likely to get enough of the healthy fruits and vegetables
required for a balanced diet- but you can help! This month, Raley’s is
launching a Summer Donation Drive. Raley’s will provide a matching donation of
fresh produce for every dollar donated, up to $25,000, now through July 31st.
“We know that
families facing hunger are also far less likely to eat a nutritionally complete
diet. It’s been a dream of Food For Families to offer our food bank partners
both fresh produce and dry goods,” said Jennie Teel-Wolter, Raley’s Community
Relations Manager. “With the addition of fresh produce to the line-up of
offerings, we are confident we are taking positive steps to better fight hunger
and its associated health impacts.”
Food For Families began as a holiday food drive, founded by
Raley’s Co Chairman and Owner Joyce Raley Teel and CEO Emeritus Charles
Collings in 1986. Through the Food for Families partnership with local food
banks, the program raises monetary and food donations to serve those in need
with Raley’s absorbing all administrative costs of the program. That means 100
percent of every donation goes directly to feeding the hungry. With the help
and support of employees, customers and business partners, Food For Families
has raised more than $31 million and donated more than 21 million pounds of dry
groceries to food banks.
While obtaining food is a challenge for tens of millions of
Americans, accessing nutritious food has proven to be even more difficult.
Low-income levels have historically been linked to higher rates of
obesity. A recent study revealed obesity
rates increased by 10 percent for all U.S. children 10 to 17 years old between
2003 and 2007, but by 23 percent during the same time period for low-income
children. With the recently launched pilot program, Food For Families hopes to
address hunger and obesity simultaneously by making fresh produce available for
those who may not always have access to it.
“During the school year, many families rely upon free or
reduced cost school lunch programs to provide their children with well-rounded
meals,” said Teel-Wolter. “Over the summer break, these children can become
vulnerable to food insecurity. Our Food For Families Fresh donation drive will
help bolster the supply of healthy food at our local food banks to meet the
increased need.”
Established in 1974, the Elk Grove Food Bank Services is a
critical component to the welfare of the Elk Grove community, providing food,
clothing and resources to our neighbors in need. The Food Bank receives funding from
individual donors, foundations, businesses, churches and local/federal
governments. The summer break has severely affected the number of clients aided
by EG Food Bank: in the month of May
2014, 3,512 individuals used the services of the Food Bank – 444 more individuals than the previous
months; a 14.5 percent increase.
Making a donation is easy, and can be done from the comfort
of your own home, from your cell phone or during your next trip to your local
Raley’s Family of Fine Foods Stores (Raley’s, Bel-Air or NobHill). See below
for details:
· * Visit a Raley’s store to make a donation
at checkout
· * Text ENDHUNGER to 85944 to make your
donation
· * Make a pledge on the Food For Families
Facebook page- facebook.com/raleysfoodforfamilies
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