Get the latest delivered to your inbox
Privacy Policy

Now Reading

Albertsons Companies Commits Additional $50 Million to Community Hunger Relief in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Commitment brings total hunger relief raised to $66 million; donations will remain local to aid food banks, children, seniors. Company’s Appreciation Pay for frontline associates extended to May 2.

Albertsons Companies Commits Additional $50 Million to Community Hunger Relief in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

Commitment brings total hunger relief raised to $66 million; donations will remain local to aid food banks, children, seniors. Company’s Appreciation Pay for frontline associates extended to May 2.

Published 04-22-20

Submitted by Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies today announced a $50 million commitment to hunger relief across the 2,200+ neighborhoods it serves in 34 states and the District of Columbia through its Nourishing Neighbors Community Relief campaign.

“This time of extraordinary need demands an unprecedented response,” said President and CEO Vivek Sankaran. “The basic needs of many of our neighbors have been threatened like never before. With a strong presence in more than 2,200 communities, we are committing an additional $50 million to help ensure that people in our neighborhoods have access to the healthy food they need. We are hopeful that more companies will join us and use our broad hunger relief network to distribute help locally, where it is needed most.”

The new cash commitment is in addition to the $3 million the company already pledged to its fundraiser for neighbors affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Over the last four weeks, customers have generously donated more than $13 million to the effort at the company’s stores, which include Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Acme, Shaw’s, Star-Market, Tom Thumb, Randalls, and other banners.

Albertsons Companies’ stores have a long-standing commitment to hunger relief and well-developed relationships with partner organizations to distribute food to those most in need. The company’s division teams will work with their local hunger relief partners to determine how best to support their communities at this critical time. All of the company’s donations from Nourishing Neighbors Community Relief will stay local to provide funds to fight hunger in the following ways:

  • Help keep food banks stocked so they can respond to increased demand
  • Support emergency meal distribution programs at schools
  • Support senior centers and other programs that provide meals and food to seniors

In addition to helping neighbors in need, the company is continuing its previously-announced Appreciation Pay program for its hourly frontline associates — temporarily providing an additional $2 per hour beyond regular pay and overtime and $100 per week to salaried frontline team members. The initiative is in place until at least May 2.

Early in the crisis, Albertsons Companies partnered with a number of hotel, restaurant, airline, retail and distribution companies to provide opportunities for furloughed workers. The company has hired more than 50,000 people in the last six weeks, and continues to work with more than 35 companies to help keep Americans working.

As the world has navigated this public health crisis together, Albertsons Companies made its top priority the health and safety of associates, customers, and communities. Its stores have implemented a number of safety measures, including enhanced cleaning protocols, social distancing markers, one-way aisles, limited store occupancy, masks for associates, health screenings, Plexiglass barriers, and more. Albertsons Companies and the UFCW are also seeking a temporary designation of “extended first responders” or “emergency personnel” for supermarket associates to ensure that they are prioritized for testing and provided personal protection equipment. 

About Albertsons Companies

Locally great and nationally strong, Albertsons Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States. We operate stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia under 20 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs. Albertsons Companies is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2019 alone, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the company gave $225 million in food and financial support. These efforts helped millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities and veterans’ outreach. 

Albertsons Companies logo

Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies is a leading food and drug retailer in the United States. As of February 26, 2022, the Company operated 2,276 retail stores with 1,722 pharmacies, 402 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers and 20 manufacturing facilities. The Company operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia with 24 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market. The Company is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2021, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the Company contributed nearly $200 million in food and financial support, including approximately $40 million through our Nourishing Neighbors Program to ensure those living in our communities have enough to eat.

More from Albertsons Companies

Join today and get the latest delivered to your inbox