The grand winner of the two-minute shopping spree bagged $500 worth of groceries and other items. Photo by Elise Spleiss

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) – This year’s Citrus Heights Grocery Outlet Bargain Market 6059 Independence from Hunger campaign was a very special one. Besides just concluding their most successful fundraiser to date, staff and customers spent three days celebrating including many 80 cent bargains, 100 scratch cards to pick a prize, other free gifts and, for one lucky customer who drew the magic number at 8 a.m. on day one to win a two-minute shopping spree which netted her $500 basket of groceries. 

Together, working as a team, employees of this Grocery Outlet raised another all-time high amount of $19,325 from a combination of food and cash donations from customers during the month of July. This puts the Citrus Heights store at number 22 of 515 active stores in the country, with 280 locations being in California. Shoppers could donate cash at the register or ‘purchase’ a ready-made bag of groceries for a donation of either $5 or $10.

One fun event was the Stuff the Truck event sponsored by the Citrus Heights Police Activities League (PAL). During a two-hour window on July 27, customers rushed to fill bags with items and rushed to stuff them into the police truck.

On left: Chris Adams, Food Closet Director April Jacek, Steve Jacek; On right: Co-owner Sara Wheeler, Shannon Belk, Michelle Bratyuk, Terri Eldridge and Co-owner Paul Wheeler. Photo by Elise Spleiss

Grocery Outlet’s Co-Owner Sara Wheeler said it was a team effort with all donations going directly to the Sunrise Christian Food Ministry (SCFM), which helps feed local families and neighbors in need, including the unhoused community.

Sunrise Food Closet Director April Jacek said, “The money we turn into gift cards will go out to the 2,000 families who come at Thanksgiving. The cash to spend in-store will go to our year-round homeless outreach.”

Also benefitting from these funds are Holy Family Catholic Church’s weekly meals, Snack Man Alfred Sanchez who works with the homes his neighborhood and other programs throughout the community.

Grocery Outlet Co-owner Sarah Wheeler and PAL Volunteer Rachael Turcotte following the Stuff the Truck event on July 27. Photo courtesy of Citrus Heights Grocery Outlet

In an interview with Wheeler, she praised the hard work of the Grocery Outlet cashiers the entire month, saying, “This is what made the difference from cash donations. Every shopper was invited to make a donation of any amount throughout the month. It was the cashier’s vigilance that inspired shoppers to give more to help reach and surpass their original goal.”

One of the success factors of this fundraiser is that many of the shoppers are regulars and are familiar with the Outlet’s community involvement and are happy to donate. Many shoppers repeated to this reporter how it feels like family with a calming vibe as they walk through the door.

Betty and Tom from Carmichael say they like their cashier, the fact that there is always something new, unique finds, and prices are better than other stores’.

One lucky customer drew the magic number on day one and won a two-minute shopping spree netting her $500 basket of groceries. Photo by Elise Spleiss

Bonnie from Fair Oaks has been shopping at this store for over 10 years, before the Wheelers owned it. She likes that she doesn’t feel rushed, the variety of foods, and that that there are always new items. She appreciates the excellent staff who are very helpful and will stop at any time to help you. Also, the store is clean and well run and of course, the prices.

Wheeler has a robust, fast moving Facebook page, always offering new deals and other fun facts. In a shout-out and thank you to the Citrus Height Grocery Outlet community on its Facebook page in the past, she said, “This is what community looks like - neighbors helping neighbors and businesses lifting each other up. Thank you for being part of something meaningful.”

One fun event was the Stuff the Truck sponsored by the Citrus Heights Police Activities League (PAL). During a two-hour window on July 27, customers rushed to fill bags and stuff them into the police truck.

Independence from Hunger Showcase. Photo courtesy of Citrus Heights Grocery Outlet