Grocery Outlet Helps Fight Hunger with Third Annual "Independence from Hunger" Food Drive

BERKELEY, Calif., July 1, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Hunger is a reality for over 50 million Americans, or one in seven people living in the United States. To create awareness of this issue and help their neighbors in need, Grocery Outlet stores are kicking off of the third annual Independence from Hunger food drive, a month-long, company-wide campaign. Together Grocery Outlet and their customers are helping to feed people facing hunger and dealing with food insecurity.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130701/LA41617)

Over the past two years, over $500,000 has been raised in cash, gift cards and food donations company-wide with the Independence from Hunger campaign. In 2013, they are hoping to raise even more support to help fight hunger.  In July, a time when food banks experience the greatest need, Grocery Outlet will encourage their customers and employees to donate food and cash to support local food assistance agencies.

According to the USDA, in 2011, 5.1 percent of all U.S. households (6.1 million households) accessed emergency food from a food pantry one or more times.  (USDA. Coleman-Jensen, A., Nord, M., Andrews, M., & Carlson, S. Household Food Security in the United States in 2011. This is up from 4.8 percent in 2010.

"We are extremely proud to once again take up the challenge to help combat hunger in our communities," said MacGregor Read, Co-CEO, Grocery Outlet Inc. "Our team of independent owners and operators are committed to supporting their neighbors in need, and Independence from Hunger is one way to make that goal a reality."

Grocery Outlet's nearly 200 stores are working directly with local food agencies to help those suffering from food insecurity over what is traditionally a slow donation period. Grocery Outlet has made it simple for their customers to join the cause with these in-store options:

• Look for specialty-marked food items. These are items that have been designated in need for the community by local food banks. Customers may purchase these items and put them in the collection bin at the front of the store.
• Tell a Grocery Outlet cashier that you would like to make a cash donation at the register. Donations will go directly to the local food assistance agencies.
• Pick up information at a Grocery Outlet store about hunger, food insecurity and local/national resources for people in need. Be informed and willing to help.
• Join the in-store events at your local Grocery Outlet store to support the Independence from Hunger food drive.

"Grocery Outlet is dedicated to our deeply entrenched culture of grassroots giving. It has always been and will continue to be a big part of who we are," said Eric Lindberg, Co-CEO of Grocery Outlet.

For more information about Grocery Outlet's Independence from Hunger campaign, please visit www.groceryoutlet.com/independencefromhunger.aspx.

About Grocery Outlet
Based in Berkeley, California, Grocery Outlet offers extreme bargains on brand name merchandise, with prices often up to 50% less than conventional retailers. The largest "extreme-value" grocer in the U.S., Grocery Outlet has almost 200 locations in Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon & Washington. Grocery Outlet carries refrigerated and frozen foods, fresh produce, organics, dry groceries, beer and wine, health and beauty care, fresh vitamins, household products, toys and gifts.  A third-generation family-led company founded in 1946, Grocery Outlet's mission has always been to provide customers a fun place to find extreme values on name brands they trust. Most stores are independently owned and operated by locally-based families.  For more information, please visit www.groceryoutlet.com

SOURCE Grocery Outlet

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