WEST SACRAMENTO, CA - To assist with the ongoing challenge of safely storing, transporting, and distributing food, Raley’s is introducing a new Food for Families grant program for its partner food banks and supporting networks. Starting at a minimum of $5,000 each, the grants will reflect a wide range of funding depending on the demonstrated need of the requesting food bank. The new Food for Families Grant program is made possible by Raley’s and donations from throughout the community. Donations are being gratefully accepted now at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation site to support this important initiative that represents an expansion of the long-time Food for Families effort.
Raley’s Food for Families converts customer and team members' donations into food for more than 2.2 million people each month through 12 partner food banks in the communities where Raley’s serves.
“For years, Raley’s customers have provided unwavering support with their generous donations to our Food for Families program. Through experience with our ongoing programs, we recognized the need to further support the crucial food distribution needs within our existing food bank family,” said Chelsea Carbahal, Executive Director, Raley’s Food For Families. “This new Food for Families grant program will enable our current partners to more effectively and efficiently serve their communities by equipping them with resources that otherwise may have been out of reach financially.”
Grant funds will help support food bank necessities, such as refrigerators, freezers, warehouse racking, transportation crates, shipping vehicles, and other infrastructure items required to safely provide food to communities. Grant applications are accepted now through February 7, 2025, with application forms provided directly to and through Raley’s Food for Families food bank partners to their partner agencies.
“Our goal at Raley’s is to help get food in the hands of as many people in need as possible,” said Carbahal. “We know the food that we and our food bank partners provide is only helpful if there is a means to safely store and distribute it. This new Food for Families grant funding effort is all about growing the positive impact in our communities and helping provide the physical means to do so.”
Raley’s anticipates awarding up to $500,000 in grant funding in the first year of the new program. Grant funding will be made available in two waves, including this current grant application phase and another scheduled for later in the year. The Food for Families grant program is available to Raley’s Food for Families food bank partners and their expansive network of more than 2,400 partner agencies, such as smaller food banks, food closets, and church distribution sites.
Growing from a single store opening in 1935, The Raley’s Companies now includes brick and mortar locations under Raley’s and Bashas’ family of brands, including: Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill, Raley’s ONE Market, Bashas’, Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, and Bashas’ Diné Markets. In addition to the special hurricane relief efforts, The Raley’s Companies are deeply committed to giving back by addressing local hunger needs, advocating for good, and focusing on child welfare, the environment and sustainability, food access, food system education, and total wellness, a press release shared. Between 2022 and 2023, the organization donated more than $3 million to local and regional non-profits. For more information about Raley’s commitment to give back and their non-profit, please visit Raley’s Food for Families.
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