Round Up to Expand Food Access and Nourish Communities
Starting July 1, we’re reshaping our Round Up program to provide more support for programs focused on expanding access to nutritious food for our communities.
Three programs benefit from the donations made at checkout. $10,000 of the Round Up funds will be donated each month to a Community Food Grant recipient. The rest of the Round Up funds will continue to support our FOOD for ALL program. Cash donations will continue to support RAFI’s Farmer Relief Fund.
Community Food Grants: Our Round Up program is expanding to include $10,000 monthly grants to provide food for community organizations with the need and capacity to expand the food relief for individuals and families they serve.
FOOD for ALL: Round Up funds continue to support our FOOD for ALL program, which empowers community members who receive food assistance to shop at our stores. The program provides an owner share at no cost and shopping discount.
RAFI Farmer Relief Fund: Cash donations at the register continue to support RAFI’s Hurricane Farmer Relief Fund, which provides on-ground assistance to farmers recovering from climate disasters. These funds are a long-term investment in food access across the Carolinas.
How the Community Food Grants Work:
All stores will round up for the same grant recipient each month. The grants will support a balanced number of organizations from each of the communities our stores serve.
Our first three Community Food Grant recipients have been selected for July through September. Our owner grant committee will announce additional recipients later this summer.
JULY: PORCH Hillsborough’s PORCH Fresh Program ensures families at risk for food insecurity have access to essential nutrition. Families in Hillsborough and northern Orange County receive monthly distributions of local meat and poultry, eggs, and fresh produce.
AUGUST: Neighborfood Express, a branch of the Marcus Harris Foundation, delivers nutrient-dense grocery bundles to individuals and families throughout Raleigh. Over 10,000 pounds of food and supplies are delivered weekly to 500 food-insecure neighbors.
SEPTEMBER: Marian Cheek Jackson Center’s food pantry, Heavenly Groceries, promotes food access by providing quality produce and groceries to undeserved communities around Chapel Hill. The pantry offers personal and cultural food choices, which preserves dignity and fosters community.