SpartanNash highlighted Thursday its annual Helping Hands Day corporate volunteer event and an in-store fundraiser that raised $300,000 for military heroes and disaster relief. This year's fundraiser benefited nonprofits: Honor and Remember, Operation Homefront, and Convoy of Hope.
"Being ‘people first’ means committing time and resources toward helping communities thrive. By focusing our efforts on our giving pillars of hunger, heroes, and hope, SpartanNash strives to find meaningful opportunities to partner with our local community in fundraising and engagement efforts," said SpartanNash CEO Tony Sarsam in a statement. "I'm proud that our associates share that vision, whether they promote our in-store fundraising campaigns or spend their workday serving others and having fun."
Last Friday, SpartanNash employees in Grand Rapids and Minneapolis volunteered at 14 area nonprofits, including Junior Achievement, Kids' Food Basket, Michigan Vets Home, Special Olympics Minnesota, and more. Approximately 575 volunteers helped with tasks such as landscaping, cleaning, painting, sorting donations, cooking, and packing meals. The retailer has a third upcoming Helping Hands Day event planned for its Norfolk, Virginia team later this summer.
For the past 12 years, SpartanNash employees have participated in the annual Helping Hands Day, volunteering more than 25,000 hours with nearly 50 community partners. And since 2015, the company and its communities have donated $2 million in contributions to patriotic and hero partners through the SpartanNash Foundation.
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