Grocers and supermarkets across the nation are embracing the holiday spirit by holding a variety of charitable giving initiatives. From food and toy drives to partnering with local organizations, these retailers are spreading cheer and making an impact on their communities.
Some also are offering a variety of special deals and promotions on holiday essentials. From discounted turkeys and hams to buy-one-get-one-free offers on treats, these promotions make it easier for customers to celebrate the season while staying within budget.
Let’s take a look across the U.S. to see how grocers are commemorating the holiday season:
Brookshire Grocery Co.
Through Dec.17, all Brookshire’s, Super 1 Foods, Spring Market and FRESH by Brookshire’s stores are collecting donations of non-perishable food items to be donated to local service organizations and food pantries during the 43rd annual Spirit of Christmas Food Drive program. Customers may also donate money using scan coupons at checkout. The Texas-based grocer’s annual effort provides nearly half a million pounds of food throughout the company’s market areas.
The Giant Co.
The Pennsylvania-based grocer is focusing on hunger-relief efforts, announcing donations of $160,000 and 3,000 hams to organizations addressing food insecurity.
Its gift of $100,000 to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank will help provide 400,000 meals across the organization’s 27-county service region. The food bank is providing assistance to more than 250,000 people each month.
In addition, The Giant Co. is supporting The Salvation Army’s holiday hunger-relief programs by donating $5,000 to 12 of the organization’s locations in Boyertown, Carlisle, Chambersburg, East Stroudsburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Levittown, Norristown, Philadelphia and Sunbury, Pennsylvania, as well as Winchester, Va.
The Giant Co. also is contributing 3,000 hams to 15 food banks and pantries, including the following: Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Chester County Food Bank, CityTeam Chester, Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, Indiana County Community Action Program, Lancaster County Food Hub, Manna on Main Street, Maryland Food Bank, New Britain Baptist Church, Philabundance, Second Harvest Food Bank, Shelter Services, York County Food Bank and Vincent DePaul.
Through Dec. 24, customers can donate certificates for a free ham to a local food bank at the register in-store. In addition, they can buy reusable bags that aid the organizations.
Fresh Thyme Market
Throughout December, customers of Illinois-based Fresh Thyme can donate to the Round Up at the Register cause at checkout.
The fundraiser is in partnership with Vitamin Angels, a nonprofit working to improve health outcomes for the most nutritionally vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, infants and young children. It has helped provide life-changing vitamins to more than 6.5 million mothers and children worldwide since 2015.
In addition to the annual Round Up at the Register event, Fresh Thyme Market supports Vitamin Angels year-round via two other initiatives:
- It donates 25 cents for every Fresh Thyme Market-branded vitamin and supplement purchased, including all Fresh Thyme Market Vitamin and Body Care sales.
- For every branded vitamin or supplement purchased throughout the year, it also makes a one-for-one donation.
“As our partner for over nine years, Fresh Thyme Market is an organization that is truly committed to making our world a healthier place for all,” said Howard Schiffer, Vitamin Angels founder and president. “We are grateful to work together to bring thousands of underserved pregnant women and children the essential nutrients they need to support a healthy future.”
[RELATED: How Grocers Prepared For The Thanksgiving Holiday]
Hy-Vee
From Dec. 13-24, Iowa-based Hy-Vee will be offering Perks Members its “12 Days of Perksmas” special, providing discounts on select items when customers use their Perks card. Online orders must be placed on the same day of the offer to receive the discount. All items are limit one per person.
- Dec. 13 – Six-count bakery-fresh brownies or bars for $4.99
- Dec. 14 – Market Grille rotisserie chicken breast (savory or smoked, 25-ounce) for $4.99
- Dec. 15 – $10 Mealtime heat-and-eat meal (17.6-39.5 ounces)
- Dec. 16 – Four-count bakery-fresh muffins for $3.99 with card
- Dec. 17 – $5 Nori Sushi standard roll (7-8.5 ounces)
- Dec. 18 – Fish Market cooked shrimp for $3.99 (51-60-count, 12-ounce package)
- Dec. 19 – $10 off a charcuterie board or tray that is $25 or more (16-125-ounces)
- Dec. 20 – 20 percent off when you purchase six bottles of wine or more (products are not available at all locations, excludes Missouri, Wisconsin, Minnesota and South Dakota)
- Dec. 21 – $8 for an eight-piece hand-breaded chicken tenders
- Dec. 22 – $18.99 for a Mealtime family-size dinner (32-79-ounces)
Walmart’s Holiday Ham Basket - Dec. 23 – $25 for a HyChi dinner for four, includes four pints of entrée, two pints of rice and egg rolls, crab ragoons and fortune cookies (four each)
- Dec. 24 – $7 for Mia Italian take-and-bake single topping pizza (28.8-35.3-ounces)
Walmart
The Arkansas-based retailer is offering customers a “Holiday Ham Basket,” featuring ham, sides and two dessert options.
There are 28 items in total, from the ingredients for sweet potato and green bean casseroles to brown-and-serve rolls and pumpkin pie. This holiday meal serves up to 12 people.
The Holiday Ham meal is available in stores and on Walmart.com/holidaymeal through Dec. 31, offering customers a variety of choices.
In addition, customers can donate the equivalent of a meal to their local Salvation Army unit.
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