SpartanNash continued its support of disaster relief by mobilizing 850 volunteers for its annual Helping Hands Day.
This year, the company packed 500,000 meals and 5,000 hygiene kits, an estimated retail value of $1.7 million. Each box packed will feed a family of four for one week and will be distributed by nonprofit Convoy of Hope to disaster-affected areas across the U.S.
In addition, Convoy of Hope received a $100,000 donation from the SpartanNash Foundation.
“As a ‘People First’ company, it’s not just about food – it’s about giving people hope when they need it most. Our mission is simple: to deliver the ingredients for a better life – and that means showing up when people need us most,” said SpartanNash CEO Tony Sarsam.
“In a world where crises and natural disasters are growing more frequent, we’re proud to ramp up our efforts and partner with our suppliers and Convoy of Hope to bring these meals to those who need them across the country.”
Associates from SpartanNash; supplier partners from W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Hormel, Country Fresh Dairy, Del Monte Foods, Kellanova, Quaker and more; student volunteers from Calvin University; and nonprofit partners Convoy of Hope, Operation Homefront and Folds of Honor all packed 15 18-wheelers of food.
Donations were collected by supplier partners including:
- Seneca Foods – Green Giant vegetables;
- Del Monte Foods – canned fruit and pasta sauce;
- Kraft Heinz – Kraft Mac & Cheese and Kool-Aid;
- Sun-Maid – Sun-Maid raisins;
- Country Fresh Dairy – Aseptic Milk;
- General Mills – Nature Valley granola bars;
- Kellanova – Kelloggs Zesta original crackers
- Hometown Foods – Hungry Jack pancake mix
- Winland Foods – Creamette pasta;
- Hormel – SPAM;
- PepsiCo – Rice-A-Roni and Pasta Roni;
- The J.M. Smucker Company – Smuckers jelly;
- W.K. Kellogg Foundation – Kellogg’s Rice Krispies cereal;
- StarKist Company – StarKist Tuna;
- PIM Brands Inc. – Welch’s Fruit Snacks;
- Musco Family Olive Co. – Pearls Olives;
- Procter & Gamble – Oral-B toothbrushes and ivory soap;
- Emmerson Brands – Suave shampoo;
- Colgate – toothpaste;
- Gojo – Purell hand sanitizer; and
- Haleon – Sensodyne toothpaste.
Helping Hands Day meal boxes also included SpartanNash’s Our Family canned chicken, canned pasta, soup and peanut butter.
In 2024, Convoy of Hope responded to 53 disasters in the U.S. The team was on the frontlines serving more than 700,000 people by distributing 14 million pounds of food in 328 communities. Last year, SpartanNash’s contribution helped families affected by Hurricanes Beryl and Helene, as well as communities in the Carolinas during Thanksgiving.
“SpartanNash’s unwavering commitment and partnership in disaster relief has been so valuable for us,” said Convoy of Hope VP of Public Engagement Ethan Forhetz. “Their support ensures that when disaster strikes, we can respond immediately, bringing hope, comfort and essential supplies to families in crisis.”
[RELATED: SpartanNash Adds Neighborhood Heroes Discount To Rewards Program]