CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) – This year’s Citrus Heights Grocery Outlet Independence from Hunger campaign was the most successful in its history.

Together, working as a team, the employees of Grocery Outlet raised their all-time high of $18, 075 during July, putting the Citrus Heights store at number 11 of 535 stores in the country. It was a team effort with every dollar going directly to the Sunrise Christian Food Ministry (SCFM), which helps to feed local families and neighbors in need, including the unhoused community.

Sunrise Food Closet director April Jacek worked closely with Grocery Outlet co-owner Sara Wheeler throughout the campaign. Shoppers could donate at the register or “purchase” a ready-made bag of groceries for the cause.

Wheeler praised the hard work of the Grocery Outlet cashiers the entire month, saying “this is what made the difference.” Every shopper was invited to donate any amount throughout July. It was the cashiers’ vigilance that inspired shoppers to give more to help reach and surpass their original goal.

Many of the shoppers are regulars and are familiar with Grocery Outlet’s community involvement and are happy to donate.

Also contributing to the cause was Citrus Heights Future Honda matching $1,000 and Sunrise Marketplace matching $500.  Business Match Days are used by businesses to connect with a partner to match what is raised on a given day, doubling the impact and helping to make even more of a difference in the community. 

There are 535 Grocery Outlets in the United States with 281 in California, which according to the website, accounts for 54% of all Grocery Outlet locations in the United States. 

In a shout-out and thank you to the Citrus Height Grocery Outlet community on its Facebook page, Wheeler said, “This is what community looks like - neighbors helping neighbors and businesses lifting each other up. Thank you for being part of something meaningful.”