Salvation Army Receives Nearly $300,000 in Grants Thanks to Jewel-Osco Customers
The Salvation Army is grateful to be selected as a recipient of $281,400 in grants from Jewel-Osco aimed at stamping out hunger. The funds were distributed as part of the Nourishing Neighbors campaign.
Customers at 187 Jewel-Osco stores have been asked to make monetary donations at the register since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. The $1, $3, and $5 donations have added up to benefit a number of local nonprofits. The Salvation Army is using its grant money to assist hungry neighbors in 11 counties in northern Illinois and northwest Indiana.
“We are grateful for Jewel-Osco, a trusted partner in the fight against food insecurity,” said Commissioner Barry Swanson, divisional commander for The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division. “The need is greater than ever. With every contribution, Jewel-Osco customers are helping to fill the gap for their neighbors faced with tough choices between making rent or mortgage payments and keeping food on the table, some who are seeking assistance for the first time.”
The Salvation Army has seen a significant increase in need at the food pantries at many of its 28 corps community centers in the Chicago Metropolitan Division. While most pantries have seen at least a 200 percent increase, one of the pantries has seen the need increase fivefold. Funds from Jewel-Osco customers have contributed to The Salvation Army’s ability to distribute:
114,183 bags of groceries at corps community center food pantries
12,242 emergency meal boxes to quarantined individuals
“Jewel-Osco has a long-standing commitment to hunger relief and working with partners to distribute food to those most in need,” said Mike Withers, president of Jewel-Osco. “We are grateful for the generosity of our customers, whose donations to our Nourishing Neighbors Community Relief campaign will help The Salvation Army fight hunger during these difficult times.”
Learn about all the ways The Salvation Army is responding to the coronavirus – as well as how you can help – at salarmychicago.org/coronavirus.
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For tax purposes: The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division EIN is 36-2167910.