The Save Mart Companies CARES Foundation has announced the recipients of its 2025 Feeding Forward grants, awarding $201,000 to four California and Nevada food organizations.
The grants focus on addressing infrastructure needs at food banks that handle retail recovery food items. Recipients include Central California Food Bank ($100,000), Second Harvest of the Greater Valley ($50,000), True North Housing Alliance ($35,000) and Yuba-Sutter Food Bank ($16,000).
The foundation received more than 68 grant proposals totaling more than $5.2 million in requests, demonstrating significant need across the region.
“We are humbled by the need in our communities and at our local food banks,” said Joan Dobias-Davis, chairperson of the CARES Foundation and SVP and chief human resources officer for The Save Mart Companies. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t fund all the very worthy programs, but we know that this initial investment into our local food system will have an impact.”
In 2023, more than 200,000 tons of unsold food were recovered in California and redistributed to community members. Many food banks face challenges managing the logistical and administrative requirements for regulatory compliance.
“Food banks across the state are serving more than six million people each month. This would not be possible without partners like The Save Mart Companies,” said Stacia Hill Levenfeld, CEO of the California Association of Food Banks. “Two decades ago, Save Mart, Lucky and FoodMaxx were among the first grocery stores in California to donate consumable, excess food to their local food banks.”
Established in 2000, the CARES Foundation has donated more than $5 million to nonprofit community organizations throughout California and Western Nevada. The foundation’s board meets quarterly to award grants to 501(c)(3) organizations within the company’s store footprint.
For more information about the CARES Foundation’s giving guidelines and the grant application process, visit thesavemartcompanies.com/
[Related: The Save Mart Companies, Keurig Dr Pepper Launch Hunger Relief Campaign]