From left, Sara Wheeler and April Jacek, Sunrise Food Ministry volunteers; Ben Wheeler; Paul Wheeler; Kylie Huntley and Shannon Belk get ready to celebrate Independence from Hunger all month long. 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Grocery Outlet Bargain Market, located in 10 states, has launched its 14th annual Independence from Hunger® Food Drive to combat food insecurity and support families in vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.

Locally, from now through July 31, Citrus Heights Grocery Outlet at 6059 Greenback Lane is teaming up with Sunrise Christian Food Ministry to collect food and cash donations in-store for area residents.

“Over the last eight years, Grocery Outlet has collected over $50,000 in donations benefiting Sunrise Christian Food Ministry and the community we serve,” said Sunrise Christian Food Ministry director April Jacek. “We hope to reach our goal of $15,000 to help offset the growing cost of stocking our pantry shelves and funding our annual Thanksgiving Giveaway in November. Grocery Outlet, owned and operated by Paul and Sara Wheeler, was a tremendous blessing last year when they provided the food closet with gift cards for our unhoused clients to use to buy food to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends.”

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Service reports that more residents now depend on the food closet network for their food. Those who use the network access it two to three times a month. Locally, 68% receive half their monthly food through the network and 21% receive nearly all their food through the network.

Homeless clients can also visit the pantry for nonperishable food items, including pop-up lid fruits, vegetables and meats, along with snacks and other items. Walk-up clientele has increased from 10 to 15 a day to 20 to 30, according to officials.

Visit Citrus Heights Grocery Outlet and make a difference to Sacramento County residents by choosing one of the following three options. Give $5, get $5; donate $5 or more in a single transaction in-store or online and you will receive a coupon for $5 off a future purchase of $25 or more. Pick up a pre-made bag that is filled with an assortment of groceries selected by the local food agency and then place it in a collection bin at the front of the store. Make a monetary donation in-store at the register and donations will benefit that store’s local food agency partner.

For more information, contact Sara Wheeler at 916-729-3600 or [email protected].

Sunrise Christian Food Ministry is at http://www.sunrisechristianfoodministry.org.