The Save Mart Companies has been named the official grocery partner of the Healthy Room Project, a California-based nonprofit, to launch the Healthy Food Project providing nutritious food to those in underserved communities across California’s Central Valley.
The Modesto-based grocery chain will supply all food items for the program’s meal boxes within its store service area and support the initiative through additional service and volunteer efforts. Since the beginning of 2025, The Save Mart Companies and the Healthy Room Project have provided 43 meal boxes and redeemable gift cards to families in need.
“We are honored to partner with the Healthy Room Project to help establish the Healthy Food Project and expand access to nutritious food across our region,” said Kristin Galloway, senior manager of community relations at The Save Mart Companies. “As a company deeply rooted in the Central Valley, we believe in showing up for our communities – not just in our stores but where it’s needed most.”
Each food box includes a curated selection of fresh produce, proteins, pantry staples and culturally-relevant ingredients, allowing families to prepare healthy, well-rounded meals. For individuals with specific dietary needs or circumstances, the program also offers gift cards redeemable at Save Mart, FoodMaxx and Lucky store locations.
Healthy Room Project
The Healthy Room Project, established as a community-policing program transforming bedrooms for at-risk children, has positively impacted hundreds of vulnerable youth, providing clean, safe and healing environments in partnership with local law enforcement agencies. The organization is now expanding its mission to address food insecurity.
“Since 2015, the Healthy Room Project has transformed the lives of 600 underserved children across 29 cities in four states, fostering trust and well-being through police-led makeovers,” said Mark Kirunchyk, co-founder of the Healthy Room Project and former police officer at the Hawthorne, California Police Department.
“By partnering with The Save Mart Companies on The Healthy Food Project, we’re expanding our impact, ensuring these children have both safe and inspiring spaces, as well as access to nutritious food, strengthening our mission to empower vulnerable communities.”
The Healthy Room Project began as a grassroots initiative in 2015 and has since served hundreds of children with support from over 750 police officers and 2,500 volunteers. In partnership with local police, the nonprofit identifies at-risk children in vulnerable communities in need of bedroom transformations.
Community members, police officers and volunteers come together for a one-day initiative to renovate these children’s bedrooms. Each child is provided with essential items, including a new bed, desk, dresser, lamp, bedding and a freshly-painted room to create a nurturing environment that fosters healthy learning and overall well-being. The program is designed to uplift children while also fostering meaningful connections between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
“The Healthy Room Project and The Healthy Food Project have added valuable new tools to help law enforcement increase safety and positivity in our community,” said Sean Dodge, detective at the Modesto, California, Police Department. “I’ve seen firsthand how these projects have fostered trust as we build a stronger connection between law enforcement and the people we serve.”
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