From left are Phil Tondee, Damien Black-Sales Manager; April Jacek- Sunrise Food Closet Director; Chris Bishop Service Manager; Sara Wheeler; Diego Chavez; Paul Wheeler; Jeremie Mechache; Gabriel Galvan; office manager Isabele Miracle; Harkirt Singh. 

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - It’s that time of year again! Citrus Heights Grocery Outlet at 6059 Greenback Lane has again partnered with members of both corporate businesses and the local business community to fight hunger and better the lives of those it serves. 

The grocery will again be teaming up with the recipient of this campaign, Sunrise Food Closet, also known as the Sunrise Christian Food Ministry (SCFM), to collect food and cash donations in-store to reach a new goal of $25,000. 

For nearly 80 years Grocery Outlet has been committed to giving back to local community organizations and the Independence from Hunger campaign is becoming an even more important part of that commitment.

Each year the food drive runs through the month of July. It is a three-pronged program, a fun and exciting way for corporate companies such as Future Honda, community businesses, and store cashiers and customers to all be an important part of the program. While the corporate and local businesses are doing their part, the hard-working cashiers at Grocery Outlet gear up for a serious fundraising push at the store.

In preparation of the month Grocery Outlet puts out an invitation for Citrus Heights businesses to consider sponsoring a one-day contribution match. They chose the day and their own maximum donation. That contribution is used to match customers’ donations in the store, which promotes even more giving.  

These donations are then distributed to those in need through the Sunrise Christian Food Ministry (SCFM). Contributing businesses are promoting their brand on Grocery Outlet’s social media, while helping their community in an important way. It’s a win-win program.  

According to co-owner Sara Weeler, in the end it is the cashiers that make the difference. They ask every customer for the entire month of July if they would like to donate $1, $5 or $10. They can also purchase a pre-filled bag of food for $5 or $10 to go to the SCFM for which the customer will get a $5 coupon to be spent on another visit.

Sara Wheeler praised the hard work of the cashiers saying, “this is what makes the difference. It is their vigilance that inspires shoppers to give more which helps the store to reach or surpass its goal”. She noted that many shoppers are regulars and live in and know the community so are happy to donate. It all goes to the food closet.

The perfect example of the importance of this fundraising month is the creation of a walk-up Snack Shack for homeless clientele which has increased to 30-40 people a day according to April Jacek, director of SFCM. Built by SMUD near the main building, the funds provided by this matching program is what keeps it stocked year-round with nonperishables items including pop-up lids of fruits, vegetables, and meats, and snacks and other items of personal hygiene. Clients visit the shack at 10:30 a.m. before the regular drive-up customers arrive. 

Another recipient of Grocery Outlet’s work in the community is long time local advocate for the homeless Alfred Sanchez, also known as “Snack Man.” Sanchez noted how important these organizations are for him to be able to get the nonperishable food in the hands of the unhoused in his area.

Sanchez said Grocery Outlet is his favorite place to visit and check out prices for future shopping for items like the pop top foods so important for his people. 

Examples of corporate match days are Future Honda for $1,000 and Sunrise Marketplace for $500. 

Customers can make a difference by visiting groceryoutlet.com/donate. For more information, contact Sunrise Christian Food Ministry at [email protected].