ITASCA, Ill., Aug. 25
/PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ -- JEWEL-OSCO, a leading Midwest food and drug
retailer, announced that the company is accepting applications for its Hunger
Relief Grant Program, designed to fund the operational needs of food pantries
and soup kitchens.
Now in its third year,
the $300,000 block grant program is conducted in partnership with three Feeding
America area food banks, the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD), the
Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana
(FBNI).
"Food pantries and
soup kitchens are a lifeline to many families during these difficult economic
times," said JEWEL-OSCO President Keith Nielsen. "Hunger relief is a key part of our community partnership
agenda. We know these funds will be put
to good use."
Qualified agencies can
apply for grants of up to $2,500 that are designed to improve their operational
efficiency and maximize their existing resources. The grant program also offers a food credit of up to $750, which
is administered directly through the participating food banks. Agencies have until Sept. 20, 2010 to submit
their completed grant requests by mail.
Last year, the Hunger
Relief Grant Program provided over 170 pantries with funding to buy equipment
such as stoves, refrigerators, shelving and sorting tables. The program also provided funding for the
transportation and delivery of food supplies.
"JEWEL-OSCO is
making a big difference in our communities, and because of their support for
the hunger relief network that we serve, we know more people who need food help
will get it," said H. Dennis Smith, CEO of the Northern Illinois Food
Bank. "We could not serve so many
neighbors without their support and partnership."
"According to our
most recent data, we now serve one in eight people in Cook County," said
Kate Maehr, CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
"Its the support
of partners like JEWEL-OSCO that helps our network of pantries, soup kitchens
and shelters respond to the need. We
are so grateful for JEWEL-OSCOs investment in these community-based
efforts."
"The Hunger Relief
Grant Program offers an amazing opportunity for pantries and soup kitchens to
access much needed financial support," said Angie Williams, executive
director of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. "The funds received through the program help our agencies to
be better equipped and better prepared to feed the increasing number of clients
that visit their organizations. We are
all truly grateful that such a wonderful program exists."
For more information
about this years grant program and how to request funding, local pantries and
soup kitchens can contact their local food bank:
Greater Chicago Food
Depository........ 773-247-3663
www.chicagosfoodbank.org
Northern Illinois Food
Bank................ 630-443-6910
www.northernilfoodbank.org
Food Bank of Northwest
Indiana......... 219-980-1777
www.foodbanknwi.org
About JEWEL-OSCO
JEWEL-OSCO, a SUPERVALU
company, operates 182 stores in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. With a market-leading position in Chicago,
JEWEL-OSCO stores offer consumers the convenience of combined grocery and
pharmacy retail, in addition to services such as fuel centers at select
locations. Originally established in
1899, the company and its associates remain committed to the communities they
serve. For more information about
JEWEL-OSCO, please visit www.jewelosco.com or www.oscopharmacy.com.
About SUPERVALU INC.
SUPERVALU INC. is one
of the largest companies in the U.S. grocery channel with estimated annual
sales of $39 billion. SUPERVALU serves
customers across the United States through a network of approximately 4,290
stores composed of approximately 1,160 traditional retail stores, including 840
in-store pharmacies; 1,190 hard-discount Save-A-Lot stores, of which 855 are
operated by licensee owners; and 1,940 independent stores serviced primarily by
the companys traditional food distribution business. SUPERVALU has approximately 160,000 employees. For more information about SUPERVALU, visit
www.supervalu.com.
SOURCE JEWEL-OSCO
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