Gelson’s Markets vwill hold its annual Holiday season food drive from November 7-19.
All 25 stores will participate in the food drive as part of Gelson’s commitment to contribute to the communities it serves, while also donating more than $2 million each year in products and cash to nonprofits focused on hunger.
Recurring partner organizations include AIDS Project Los Angeles, Food Finders, Food Share, La Cañada Community Center, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, Second Harvest and Unity Shoppe.New food drive partners from recently acquired stores includeFeeding San Diego and Rancho Mirage’s F.I.N.D. for the additional three San Diego locations.On weekends, volunteers from several of these organizations will visit area Gelson’s stores with lists of needed items;other stores will have bins where customers can donate items. Healthy (e.g., low-sodium, low-sugar), non-perishable foods are most needed, such as peanut and other nut butters, dried or canned beans, canned vegetables, canned meats/fish, canned fruit, whole grain cereal, whole grain pasta, soup, rice, granola bars, etc.
“We are keenly aware that, for families who are facing financial hardship, the November and December holidays are especially challenging,” said Gelson’s President & CEO Rob McDougall.“We are proud to work with an expanding roster of local organizations to help those in need, and to encourage our customers to be part of the solution.”