Albertsons Companies makes the holidays merrier for millions in U.S.
BOISE, Idaho — Employees and customers of the Albertsons Companies have donated millions of meals and thousands of toys during the company's 2016 Holiday Giving Campaign.
In all, Albertsons Companies says its 2,300+ stores and 275,000 team members are responsible for helping orchestrate major food drives and giving campaigns, donating more than 12,000 turkeys and hams, and collecting tens of thousands of toys. In addition, the Albertsons Companies Foundation contributed $240,000 to fund charities at the forefront of hunger relief, juvenile diabetes research, veteran's services, and grassroots community outreach.
"Helping individuals and families during the holidays and throughout the year is not only the foundation of our community outreach, it's a key part of our business," said Chairman and CEO Bob Miller. "We are in the unique position to touch the lives of countless people throughout America each day. We're proud of how our stores, customers and employees have come together to have a positive impact on people in need, both during the holidays and every day of the year. "
Albertsons Companies operates supermarkets in 35 states and Washington D.C. under 19 banners, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, ACME Markets, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, and Carrs.
Each regional operating division chooses and manages its own giving programs, tailoring the outreach to the needs of the neighborhoods it serves.
Here are a few examples of the outreach initiatives that have made an immense impact on the most urgent needs of our neighbors during the holiday season.
ACME Markets on the East Coast collected and donated nearly 394,000 pounds of food as part of WMMR Radio's annual Camp Out for Hunger in Philadelphia, the largest single-location food drive in the country. ACME was a major sponsor of the event, in which WMMR on-air personalities broadcasted their show from a tent to collect donations and raise awareness about hunger.
Southern Idaho Albertsons stores were key supporters of the annual 7Cares Idaho Shares campaign with news station KTVB to support the Community Safety Net Campaign. The program benefits 10 local charities. Nearly 30 stores collected food and monetary donations and the Intermountain Division's leadership team presented a $10,000 check and nearly 3,000 pounds of nonperishable food on-air at Albertsons Stadium.
But the Albertsons Companies Holiday Giving Campaign isn't exclusive to stores.
Albertsons Companies corporate and division office team members also helped their communities with in-office food and toy drives. Some offices selected charity partners to fulfill the wishes of local children and families. Other offices adopted families and provided the elements for a great holiday, including gifts, a full dinner, a tree and decorations. This year the corporate teams across three campuses donated nearly 3,000 new toys for local charities, including Toys for Tots.