Albertsons Companies Foundation kicks off Million Hour Volunteer Rally program
Albertsons, in collaboration with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, is launching the Million Hour Volunteer Rally to help neighbors in need. Customers, associates and partners are invited to join the company’s Nourishing Neighbors charitable program on the mission to end hunger by collectively contributing one million volunteer hours to various nonprofit organizations across the country.
Through Oct. 31, customers who volunteer and record their hours during this campaign will have the opportunity to win a grand prize of free groceries for a year and a $5,000 donation to a local hunger relief nonprofit. Additionally, 10 runners-up will receive $500 in groceries and a $500 donation to a local hunger-focused charity.
“In the span of just two years, from 2022 to 2023, there has been a troubling 30% rise in food insecurity, while the rate of formal volunteering has decreased by 7%,” said Christy Duncan Anderson, president and executive director of Albertsons Foundation. “As long-standing community partners dedicated to fighting hunger, we recognized this critical shortage of volunteers faced by numerous food banks and pantries and took action. We’re proud to invite our local communities to join the Million Hour Volunteer Rally and donate their time and skills to make a positive impact in the lives of those who face hunger every day.”
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Customers can find volunteer opportunities by clicking here. Once a customer has completed their volunteer hours, they will log their hours here.
“Our food bank provides nearly one million meals worth of food every week to a community in which one in four people experience some level of hunger,” said Regi Young, executive director of Alameda County Community Food Bank. “The only way we’re able to accomplish as much as we do is with the contributions of a passionate and hard-working corps of volunteers who help us prepare much of that food for the community. Food banks like ours have faced many challenges securing volunteers in recent years, so efforts like the Million Hour Volunteer Rally are truly invaluable to this work. We’re grateful to the ongoing support we get from Albertsons Cos. and every other corporate partner that plays such an integral part in our mission.”
“The Hockomock Area YMCA relies on over 600 volunteers annually to support our mission in 15 Massachusetts communities, and their contributions are vital for our impact in youth development, healthy living and social responsibility,” said Patrick Murphy, association director of community engagement and partnerships for Hockomock Area YMCA. “We appreciate the Albertsons Cos. Foundation and the Million Hour Volunteer Rally for offering much-needed support to organizations like ours facing volunteer challenges.”
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The Million Hour Volunteer Rally partners include Albertsons’ private label brand O Organics as well as the following national brands: Kellanova, General Mills, Quaker, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Eggland’s Best, Reynolds, Hefty, Crystal Waters and Red Bull.
Nourishing Neighbors, a charitable program of Albertsons Companies Foundation, seeks to ensure at-risk children, adults, seniors and families have access to the food they need to thrive.
This past June, Nourishing Neighbors celebrated a decade of fighting hunger in local communities. Since the program’s inception in 2014, Nourishing Neighbors has raised more than $297 million for thousands of nonprofit organizations that are on the front lines of combatting hunger in America.