On Thursday, Nov. 13, city officials joined Save A Lot to kick off the grocery chain’s annual “Bags for a Brighter Holiday” program, which allows customers to purchase pre-assembled bags of pantry staples for donation to local food pantries.
The event was held at the Save A Lot at 6410 N. 76th St., one of four Milwaukee stores participating this season.
Now in its 10th year, the program supports neighborhood food pantries during the holiday season. Each bag costs $5.49 and contains items that can be used for a holiday meal, such as cornbread mix, stuffing, canned vegetables, pudding mix and potted meat.
All four Milwaukee-area Save A Lot stores will run the program through Dec. 24, with each location selecting a different charity to receive donated bags.
A display of $5.49 “Bags for a Brighter Holiday” donation bags sits on a table at the Save A Lot on N. 76th St. The grocery chain and Milwaukee alders launched the program early this year to support local food pantries amid a pause in SNAP benefits.
Last year, Save A Lot customers donated more than 67,000 bags nationwide, according to the company.
The “Bags for a Brighter Holiday” program launched earlier than usual this year in response to a recent pause in SNAP benefits, Ald. Laressa Taylor said.
“We know the work is not limited, and that the work has to continue to be done,” said Taylor, who represents District 9. “And so, we have come together to just make it happen so that we can meet the needs of residents in our districts.”
Taylor was joined by Ald. Russell Stamper II, Ald. Mark Chambers, Jr. and Ald. Andrea M. Pratt, whose districts also include Save A Lot locations. Stamper said the partnership helps fill gaps left by grocery store closures and ongoing uncertainty around FoodShare benefits.
“We had a void,” said Stamper, who represents the 15th District, which includes neighborhoods like Metcalfe Park.
“We lost Pick ‘n Save. We lost other food providers and then came the uncertainty of the FoodShare benefits, but the community stepped up.”
Food banks, pantries, churches and now Save A Lot stores have stepped up, said Stamper, adding that residents in his district have also launched a community fridge network, which is expected to open four new fridges soon.
One community fridge has already been operating since September at Tricklebee Café, at 4424 W. North Ave.
Representatives from Save A Lot highlighted the company’s long-standing presence in Milwaukee and its commitment to serving neighborhoods that often lack full-service grocery stores.
Jerome Boyer, vice president of retail operations, said Save A Lot intends to “double down” on local investment.
“You should know that we’re here for you,” Boyer said. “We want to be a partner. We want to be a neighbor.”
Vice president of retail operations Jerome Boyer addresses press conference attendees. Other Save A Lot staff and city officials also spoke at the press conference on Thursday (Nov. 13) to announce the Bags for a Brighter Holiday program kickoff.
This year’s donations from the 76th Street location will go to Resources and Beyond, a food pantry located north of the store at 8700 W. Brown Deer Rd. Resources and Beyond Executive Director Sen-Soray Erving said demand at the pantry has risen, especially heading into Thanksgiving.
“We just picked up our turkeys today, and we’re ready to distribute them on Saturday,” Irving said. “We don’t care about anyone’s situation or circumstances – we’re just here to help and serve.”
The “Bags for a Brighter Holiday” program will take place at all four Milwaukee Save A Lot stores. Customers can participate by purchasing a donation bag at checkout. The addresses of the Milwaukee locations are below:
April Quevedo covers Metcalfe Park for the Journal Sentinel’s Neighborhood Dispatch. Reach her at [email protected]. As part of the newsroom, all April’s work and coverage decisions are overseen solely by Journal Sentinel editors.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: For $5.49, Save A Lot shoppers can help stock Milwaukee pantries
