Ukrop's Share a Holiday Meal Program Raises More Than $72,000 To Feed Hungry Families
RICHMOND, Va. - Dec. 23, 2008 - In 2008, Ukrop's Share a Holiday Meal Program raised more than $72,000 to feed the hungry. This total represented an approximate 30 percent increase over the money raised last year.
"We are excited to see an increase in donations during such a tough economic time," says Bobby Ukrop, CEO of Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc. "This program helps thousands of families throughout Richmond, Fredericksburg, Williamsburg and Roanoke enjoy a special meal. Thanks to our shoppers for helping those in need."
From Nov. 3-29, Ukrop's shoppers were invited to add a $5, $10, or $20 donation to Share a Holiday Meal to their grocery bill. This is the seventh year of the program, and Ukrop's customers donated $51,314, nearly 10 percent more than in 2007.
First Market Bank also donated $10,000, made up of $.05 contribution every time a customer paid with their Market Share Check Card. For the first time Ukrop's partnered with Uppy's convenience stores to invite customers to add the same donation amounts to their purchases at Richmond-area gas stations and On the Run markets. Uppy's customers donated an additional $6,522, and the company donated another $5,000.
Donations are divided between Christmas Mother Organizations and the Salvation Army. Donations remain in the city or county where they are made. For example, donations made in the city of Richmond were given to the Salvation Army, Richmond Area Command. The total donation was divided as follows:
- The Richmond Area Command of the Salvation Army received $23,962.14.
- The Chesterfield/Colonial Heights Christmas Mother received $15,353.38.
- The Henrico County Christmas Mother received $13,424.19.
- The Hanover County Christmas Mother received $9,841.29.
- The Roanoke Area Command of the Salvation Army received $2,743.15.
- The Fredericksburg Area Command of the Salvation Army received $3,921.19.
- The Williamsburg Area Command of the Salvation Army received $2,508.15.
- A donation was also made to the Goochland County Christmas Mother for $1,000.
Sponsors of this year's program included: Proctor & Gamble, Campbell's, Pepperidge Farm, Snyder's of Hanover, Nature's Own, Frito Lay, Smithfield, First Market Bank and Uppy's.
About Ukrop's
Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc., founded and headquartered in Richmond,
Va., with more than 5,600, associates operates 28 retail food stores,
Joe's Market (a regional specialty market), a central bakery and
kitchen, and a distribution center. Since 1937, the privately held
business remains dedicated to its version of the Golden Rule: "treating
customers, associates, and suppliers as they personally want to
be treated." Each year, Ukrop's gives a minimum of 10 percent
of its pre-tax profits back to the community. Ukrop's was a pioneer
in both loyalty marketing and meal solutions when it launched its
Valued Customer® program in 1987 and its chilled prepared foods
in 1989. In 1997, Ukrop's established a unique partnership to place
banks in its retail locations. Today, it co-owns, with Markel Corporation,
26 First Market Bank branches in Ukrop's locations and soon to be
14 free-standing branches. In June 2008, Ukrop's launched another
innovative loyalty program called fuelperks! which rewards Fredericksburg
and Richmond-area customers by providing significant discounts on
fuel based on Ukrop's grocery purchases. To date, Ukrop's fuelperks!
rewards exceed $5 million dollars. www.ukrops.com
Contacts:
Susan Rowe
Ukrop's Super Markets Inc.
804-340-3104 - Susan.Rowe@ukrops.com
Jonathan Rhudy
For Ukrop’s Super Markets, Inc.
804-897-0763 - jonathan@rhudy.biz