FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]
California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
Greater Demand Results In Doubling of Donations
SACRAMENTO, CA (December 10, 2009) –California grocers answered Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver’s holiday season request for food by donating 266,203 pounds to the statewide WE Can Food Drive. In 2008, California grocers donated nearly 120,000 pounds.
Participating grocers included Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Markets, Inc., Raley’s, Ralphs Grocery Co., Safeway Inc., Save Mart Supermarkets and Vons Companies Inc.
Truckloads of donated food from throughout California rolled into California Emergency Foodlink Distribution Centers in Sacramento and Southern California the week of December 7 to deliver the much-needed donations. California Emergency Foodlink channels commodities for the State to emergency-feeding agencies throughout California.
The Governor and First Lady hosted the WE Can Holiday Food Drive in conjunction with the 78th Annual State Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 10.
“The outpouring of support from California grocers during this holiday season has been truly remarkable,” said First Lady Maria Shriver. “Arnold and I are incredibly thrilled with the generous donations made to the California Emergency Foodlink. This will positively impact hundreds of thousands of Californians struggling during these incredibly difficult economic times. The grocers have shown that together WE can make a difference. I know it will inspire all Californians to generously donate to help those who are without.”
“This is the second straight year California grocers have answered the Governor and First Lady’s call for donations during the holiday season,” said California Grocers Association President and CEO Ronald Fong. “We more than doubled the donations made the first year. The Governor and First Lady are to be commended for directing such a worthwhile and needed effort.”
Fong added that the WE Can Food Drive donations were in addition to the extensive donation programs in place at most grocery stores throughout California during the holiday season.
“Many of our members, along with many of their customers, are deeply committed to helping others, particularly during the holidays and particularly during these extremely difficult economic times,” Fong said. “To more than double what they donated last year is truly commendable.”
The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 400 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.