The Save Mart Companies has been named the official grocery partner of the Healthy Room Project, a nonprofit serving underserved communities across the state’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.
“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,” said Kristin Galloway, senior manager of community relations at The Save Mart Companies.
Each food box includes a selection of fresh produce, proteins, pantry staples and culturally-relevant ingredients, allowing families to prepare healthy, well-rounded meals.
For those with specific dietary needs or circumstances, the program also offers gift cards redeemable at Save Mart, FoodMaxx and Lucky stores.
Healthy Room Project
The Healthy Room Project, established as a community-policing program transforming bedrooms for at-risk children, has provided hundreds of clean, safe and healing environments in partnership with local law enforcement agencies. The organization has since expanded 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 effort and a former police officer in Hawthorne, California.
“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.”
As part of the project, community members, police officers and volunteers come together for a one-day initiative to renovate children’s bedrooms. Each child is provided with essential items, including a new bed, desk, dresser, lamp, bedding and a freshly-painted room.
The program is designed to lift up children while also fostering connections between law enforcement and communities.
“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, police detective in Modesto, California.
“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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