Some Good Grocery News: Supermarkets Take a Stand Against Social Injustice

In these challenging and uncertain times, we all need a reason to smile. With a nod to actor John Krasinski’s SGN (Some Good News), WGB presents five good things that happened in grocery this week. 
 

A week ago, a number of the nation’s largest grocery retailers announced funding to help improve diversity, equity and inclusion with Walmart ($100 million), Target ($10 million) and Kroger ($5 million) pledging millions in support of social justice. H-E-B had announced the creation of a $1 million fund earlier in the week.

The donations and statements have followed in the wake of demonstrations and spot looting that damaged and temporarily triggered some store closures across the country.

“To our black associates, customers and allies: We see you. We hear you. We support you. And I stand with you,” said The Kroger Co. CEO Rodney McMullen in a video address on the Cincinnati-based grocer’s social media platforms. The address condemned racism and injustice against the black community.

Giant Eagle this week said it would take new steps to address racial equality in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests sweeping the country, including a plan to temporarily close stores to host companywide discussions with workers, and moving to cease support of a Pittsburgh newspaper caught on the wrong side of the movement's passions.

In a Facebook post earlier this week, Giant Eagle President and CEO Laura Shapira Karet wrote, “We at Giant Eagle have taken time to self-reflect on what we as individuals and as an organization must do to stand up against racism and social injustice. Words are important, but they are not nearly enough. The time for action is now. At Giant Eagle, we have begun a series of efforts that we hope will allow us and others to support our African American team members, guests and neighbors.”

Hy-Vee said it would donate $1 million and 1 million volunteer hours to organizations that support racial unity and equality primarily throughout its eight-state region. It is the latest retailer to donate to organizations in support of racial equality and joins Walmart, Kroger and Target among others in the pledge.

The grocer, which operates several stores in the Minneapolis area, has already begun donating volunteer hours as its associates have joined local organizations to provide meals, snacks and water to those in impacted neighborhoods throughout the metro area as well as assisted with neighborhood cleanup efforts in the Twin Cities.

A high school student in Polk County, Iowa, has launched T’s Angel Hands, a free, contact-less grocery delivery service run by teen volunteers who bring the elderly, those with underlying health conditions and pregnant women much needed supplies.

“My grandparents, who live in a suburb of Des Moines, were having issues getting groceries,” 17-year-old Tanner Kenin told The Daily Optimist. “They didn’t want to leave their house during this time, and the grocery store delivery services were completely booked or they had hefty delivery fees.”

Shoppers can either place a grocery pickup order and have one of Kenin’s team of 15 high school students deliver it to their door or give T’s Angel Hands a list, along with money to purchase the groceries, which will then be delivered for free.

T’s Angel Hands are now making between 35 to 45 deliveries per week, reports The Daily Optimist.

Chicago-based Terraboost Media is donating more than 100 of its hand-sanitizing billboards that are placed at the front doors of supermarket and drugstore chains across the U.S. The three-month campaign, valued at more than $120,000, will generate an estimated 36 million engagements and heightened awareness for Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization with a network of 200 food banks across the U.S.

The hand-sanitizing billboards will be placed at a wide variety of retailers with messages encouraging consumers to donate food that they can buy in the stores for needy families during the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, Feeding America will be able to raise cash donations via a QR code.