One in four Latinos faces food insecurity as the campaign benefits Bay Area food banks and communities nationwide.
by the El Reportero staff
EMERYVILLE, Calif. — Grocery Outlet has launched its 16th annual Independence from Hunger campaign, a nationwide effort to raise food and monetary donations to help combat food insecurity. The campaign runs through July 31 and will benefit San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Alameda Community Food Bank, and other local hunger relief organizations.
Customers can support the campaign by making donations at checkout, purchasing pre-packed bags of nonperishable groceries, or contributing online. Food and funds collected at each Grocery Outlet location will support the food bank partnered with that store, helping provide meals to families struggling with rising food costs.
This year’s campaign expands through a new partnership with Feeding America, allowing customers to make online donations supporting hunger relief efforts nationwide while continuing to benefit local food banks through in-store contributions.
Grocery Outlet will also introduce a four-day national livestream designed to increase awareness and encourage participation. The event will feature donation challenges, stories from independent store operators, community highlights, and personal accounts showing how contributions help families facing food insecurity.
Food insecurity continues to affect millions of Americans. According to the latest figures from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly 48 million people, including 14.1 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2024. That represents roughly one in seven people and one in five children nationwide.
The problem remains especially severe within the Latino community. Data from 2023 show that one in four Latinos experiences food insecurity, affecting approximately 14 million people across the United States. Rising housing costs, inflation, and higher grocery prices continue to increase financial pressure on many working families.
Since launching the Independence from Hunger campaign in 2011, Grocery Outlet and its independent operators have raised more than $30 million to support local food banks and community organizations dedicated to reducing hunger.
Customers may donate $5 or more during a purchase and receive a $5 coupon toward a future qualifying purchase. They may also buy pre-packed food bags, contribute at checkout, or make online donations through the company’s partnership with Feeding America. Organizers hope this year’s campaign will provide additional support as many families continue facing economic challenges.
