Walgreens Renews Product Donation Program to America's Second Harvest Food Bank

Food & Beverage Close-Up, June 8, 2009

FOOD AND BEVERAGE CLOSE-UP-8 June 2009-Walgreens Renews Product Donation Program to America's Second Harvest Food Bank(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com

Drugstore chain Walgreens announced that it has renewed its commitment to donate discontinued and mildly distressed products from its distribution centers to America s Second Harvest, a nationwide network of food banks.

Last year, Walgreens noted, the initiative garnered nearly six million pounds of products, providing approximately eight million people in need with food and a wide range of personal items.

Donated items, which are screened for safety, range from a scratched boxs of cereal or slightly dented canned goods to household supplies, discontinued toiletries and other personal items. While food is always needed, non-food donations are especially valuable because these items can t be purchased with food stamps.

We have long-standing relationships with many local Second Harvest affiliates, and we applaud the invaluable service they provide in local communities, said Walgreens director of community affairs John Gremer. We know that people often find their way to these food pantries in need of much more than a decent meal for their families. As one of the nation s largest suppliers of basic necessities, we are delighted to be able to help meet this need.

"Because of Walgreens, kids received notebooks, pens and markers," says Judith Gatti, executive director of the Daily Food Bank in Miami. "Imagine parents' relief that their children would have needed school supplies. And everyone needs shampoo, brushes, cleaning supplies and other household items. Walgreens has truly identified itself as an excellent corporate citizen that cares about those less fortunate and contributes to their health and well-being."

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