Latinos Are Nearly Twice As Likely to Experience Food Insecurity than Non-Hispanic White Individuals. Program to Support Organizations Food Share of Ventura County, The Salvation Army Oxnard Corps and The Simi Valley Council on Aging
EMERYVILLE, CA – Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, extreme-value grocery retailer, on June 24, launched its 11thconsecutive Independence from Hunger Food Drive to combat food insecurity. Through July 31, 2021, the campaign will collect cash donations and pre-made bags of nonperishable foods in-store at Grocery Outlet’s 400 locations that will be distributed to local food agencies partners. In addition, online donations can be made at GroceryOutlet.com/Donate.
According to the USDA’s latest analysis of Food Insecurity in America, 13 million households suffer limited access to food sources and suffer from food insecurity (USDA, Household Food Security in the United States in 2019). In the Latino community, Feeding America reports that before the Coronavirus pandemic, Latinos are nearly twice as likely to experience food insecurity than non-Hispanic white individuals. Covid-19 did not help the situation. A great number of Latinos work in the leisure and hospitality industries, business sectors which have been devastated by Covid-19.
Each independently owned and operated Grocery Outlet store is committed to giving back to their community and have partnered locally to bring the community together in providing families nutritious food. In Ventura County, local stores will support Food Share of Ventura County, The Salvation Army Oxnard Corps and The Simi Valley Council on Aging, among other charities.
“At Grocery Outlet, our main focus is offering value and giving back to our local communities. Each year, our success in doing so through IFH has grown due to the commitment of our employees, operators, charitable partners, and customers” said Eric Lindberg, CEO at Grocery Outlet, Inc. “In the celebratory year of our 75th anniversary, we are excited to continue growing as an organization as well as to expand the awareness and success of the Independence from Hunger campaign.”
For 75 years, Grocery Outlet has been committed to giving back to local community organizations and IFH is an integral part of their commitment. Since its launch in 2011, the Independence from Hunger campaign efforts have collected more than $11 million nationwide. Customers can make a difference by visiting their local Grocery Outlet and participating in one of these easy steps:
- Give $5, get $5. Donate $5 or more in a single transaction in-store or online and you will receive a coupon for $5 off a future purchase of $25 or more.
- Purchase a pre-made bag that is complete with an assortment of groceries selected by the local food agency and then place it in a collection bin at the front of the store.
- Make an in-store donation at the register. Donations will benefit that store’s local food agency partner. Donate $1, $5 or round up your change.
- Donate online by visiting GroceryOutlet.com/Donate. Online donations support the San Francisco bay area community through Grocery Outlet’s partnership with Alameda County Community Food Bank.
“Since 1946, our core values have been built around our desire to provide and give back to our local communities,” said Lindberg “Our customers and communities alike are the foundation of our success. We feel it’s important to continue our ultimate mission to touch lives for the better.”