MODESTO, CA - The Save Mart Companies’ annual storewide Friends Feeding Friends holiday food drive is underway at all Save Mart, Lucky, and FoodMaxx stores in California and Western Nevada, now through December 31. The drive supports community food banks and pantries during the holiday season and runs through Tuesday, December 31. To make this season of giving extra special, The Save Mart Companies CARES Foundation will also make a matching cash donation to area food banks, up to $20,000.

“Our community food banks and local food pantries play an invaluable role in alleviating food insecurity in the neighborhoods we serve,” said Donovan Ford, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, The Save Mart Companies. “Our Friends Feeding Friends food drive provides our stores and valued shoppers the opportunity to positively support our neighbors in need during the holidays.”

There are two ways to donate this year; when shopping at their local Save Mart, Lucky, or FoodMaxx store, customers can choose to purchase a bag filled with grocery essentials for $15 or $25 at checkout.

They can also select a “virtual” bag donation at the end of their online shopping experience. Either form of purchase is added to the shopper’s total grocery bill, and the tax-deductible contribution is noted on the receipt.

“With food insecurity rates similar to the early days of the pandemic, supporting local food banks is critically important,” said Stacia Levenfeld, Chief Executive Officer, California Association of Food Banks. “On behalf of food banks across the state, I want to thank The Save Mart Companies for their leadership in fighting hunger in our communities. A matching donation from The CARES Foundation will have a marked impact on our food banks’ being able to provide food for their neighbors.”

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