Albertsons/Tom Thumb Contribute 360,000-plus Meals from its 2024 Nourishing Neighbors Hunger Bag Campaign

Store associates also volunteered at the North Texas Food Bank to pack produce and Food 4 Kids bags.

The North Texas Food Bank could not serve its neighbors facing hunger without the support of grocery partners like Albertsons/Tom Thumb.

As one of the largest food retailers in the U.S., Albertsons/Tom Thumb has long made giving back a part of its ethos, and in North Texas, they were among the first supporteres of the NTFB when it began more than 40 years ago.

“It is our purpose to bring people together around the joys of food,” said Christy Lara, director of communications and public relations for Albertsons/Tom Thumb, speaking before volunteering at the NTFB’s Perot Family Campus on March 6, along with her coworkers. “In addition to selling food in our stores, we’re doing everything we can to provide food for those who need it.”

From January 21 through February 17, 2024, Albertsons/Tom Thumb stores invited shoppers to support the NTFB by adding a $5 Nourishing Neighbors Hunger Bag to their purchase. Christy announced during their visit to the Food Bank that 64,440 bags were sold through that campaign for the NTFB, which equates to 364,891 meals.

Over the last four years, Albertsons/Tom Thumb has also drastically increased the amount of food donated through its Fresh Rescue Program, said NTFB President and CEO Trisha Cunningham.

In 2020, Albertsons/Tom Thumb donated 300,000 pounds through the program. Last year, the stores rescued and donated more than 3 million pounds of food.

“We could not do this work without the partnership we have with you,” Trisha said.

Distributing nutritious food that grocery stores are unable to sell is how the NTFB started, Trisha said, and it continues to be an important part of its operations, in part, because of associates at area Albertsons/Tom Thumb stores.  

“We know unless you make it a priority, it’s not a priority,” she said.

Along with food donations, Albertsons/Tom Thumb collaborates with the NTFB at every level possible—through volunteer time and board leadership, financial support, event sponsorships, advocacy, SNAP awareness, leadership expertise and more. It is truly a cornerstone partnership.

After hearing from Trisha and Christy, more than 70 volunteers from area stores helped pack produce and put together Food 4 Kids bags that will be distributed to neighbors in the NTFB’s 13-county service area.

Associates also were invited to view the NTFB’s SNAP Mobile, which is partially sponsored by Tom Thumb/the Albertsons Foundation. The SNAP Mobile is an office on wheels that travels to rural, high-needs areas and assists neighbors with applying for SNAP and other programs.

Jim Howarth, district sales manager – Southern Division at Albertsons/Tom Thumb, said they’re grateful to be able to support the NTFB’s mission however they can.

“It’s the right thing to do when we’re serving our community,” he said.