Heritage Grocers Group, an Ontario, Calif.-based Hispanic food retailer, says it's brightening the holidays for residents in the communities where Heritage banner grocery stores operate.
“Giving back is not just about making a donation, it is about making a difference,” Adam Salgado, chief marketing officer for Heritage Grocers Group said in a news release. “In the same way Heritage Grocers Group commits to meeting the unique food preferences of its broad geographical customer base, it is also dedicated to making a positive difference and lasting impact in our customers lives through our local giving and community-based support efforts.”
This holiday season, all 65 Cardenas Markets store locations launched a chainwide, round-up giving campaign where customers can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar to raise funds for initiatives the Cardenas Markets Foundation supports, according to the release. These initiatives include education, children's well-being, health and wellness, and hunger relief. All funds raised from this program go directly back into the local communities where Cardenas Markets operates, the release said.
Recently, the Cardenas Markets Foundation also made donations totaling $50,000 to local food banks within its operating areas, the release said. An additional, $50,000 is also being donated to organizations focused on improving the health and well-being of children in need including:
- Olive Crest.
- Children's Fund.
- Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.
- Alum Rock Counseling Center.
- Grail Family Services.
- UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Foundation.
- Lucille Packard Children's Hospital.
- Boys and Girls Club of Coachella Valley.
- Boys and Girls Club of Cathedral City.
- California Family Life Center.
Texas-based El Rancho Supermercado held several community events, including its annual “Christmas in Houston” holiday giveaway hosted in conjunction with Univision on Dec. 3, where over 10,000 local residents received blankets and toys.
El Rancho Supermercado also held a posada, a traditional Hispanic celebration commemorating the nativity story, in Dallas where over 700 families participated in games and received over $10,000 in prizes, according to the release.
Tony's Fresh Market based in Chicago is hosting a customer food drive at its Schaumburg, Ill. location through Jan. 6, the release said. All items collected during this food drive will be donated to United Methodist Food Pantry.
The company says it also made food and backpack donations to Bags of Hope for its December food drive held Dec. 16. In partnership with Illinois State Police and Girl Scout Troop 15, Tony's Fresh Market also supported the annual Gift-A-Bear event by sponsoring 10 children from Caroline Sibley Elementary School. Each child received a Build-A-Bear and McDonald's gift card.
Focused on freshness, authenticity and affordability, Heritage Grocers Group's family of destination grocery stores incorporate freshly made ethnic foods, differentiated floor formats and localized assortments, according to the release. Heritage Grocers Group operates in six states including California, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Kansas and Illinois, with a total of 57 stores under the Cardenas Markets banner, 29 stores under the El Rancho Supermercado banner, 21 stores under the Tony's Fresh Market banner, and seven stores under the Los Altos Ranch Market banner.
Related: Heritage Grocers Group to expand its Nevada footprint