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Washington, DC—October 29, 2020—Central Union Mission is excited to receive a $23,751 grant from Safeway Foundation from their Nourishing Neighbors Breakfast for Kids initiative to eradicate childhood hunger. The funds will be used to supply nutritious proteins and fresh produce through the Mission’s Family Ministry Center to children in families experiencing poverty in Washington, DC.
“We’re excited that Safeway Foundation is supporting the work we do each day to help local kids start their day with a good, healthy meal,” said Central Union Mission President Joe Mettimano. “We know that Safeway Foundation sets a high standard for its Nourishing Neighbors Breakfast for Kids grant recipients because the grants go only to organizations that have the greatest impact on fighting childhood hunger. We’re proud to be part of that recipient group and thank Safeway and their customers for helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of children in the nation’s capital.”
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March, Family Ministry Center has had a 50 percent increase in demand for free food from parents who have become unemployed or are facing eviction. Family Ministry Center now serves 5,750 people each month and is expecting that number to increase through the winter. As the demand increases, so too does the need for nutritious food. Safeway’s Nourishing Neighbors contribution will enable us to meet the expanding need.
Nourishing Neighbors, a charitable program of Safeway Foundation, is designed to build awareness and raise funds in an effort to eradicate childhood hunger in America. Funds raised through Nourishing Neighbors’ Breakfast for Kids Campaign focus on adding breakfasts in and out of school through federal nutrition programs and other means to combat childhood hunger and improving other health-related outcomes. Each Safeway location selects a local organization or food bank to receive the donations. Funds for our $23,751 grant were collected by the Safeway stores at 2845 Alabama Ave., SE; 490 L St., NW; 3830 Georgia Ave., NW; and 5545 Connecticut Ave., NW, and will be used to provide nutritious food to the children who participate in the Family Ministry Center’s Relief & Restoration Program.
“We know that Central Union Mission is doing great things,” Safeway President Jim Perkins commented. “It’s our pleasure to support their innovative programs and tireless commitment to the health and futures of our community’s youngest citizens.”
About Central Union Mission:
Central Union Mission is a faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the oldest private social service agency in Washington, DC. In addition to its emergency shelter, which provides more than 60,000 bed-nights each year, the Mission operates a holistic, Christ-centered transformation and workforce development program for men, provides benefits for veterans, helps people overcome addictions, operates a food and clothing distribution center which provides food for over 5,750 people each month, runs a camp for underprivileged children, and offers a ministry to families and senior citizens. Charity Navigator has rated Central Union Mission, GuideStar awarded Central Union Mission a Gold Seal for our financial transparency and GreatNonProfits has given Central Union Mission a Top-Rated award.
About Safeway:
Safeway is part of Albertsons Companies (NYSE: ACI). Locally great and nationally strong, Albertsons Cos. is a leading food and drug retailer in the United States. Albertsons Companies’ Mid-Atlantic Division operates Safeway stores in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Delaware. Safeway is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. During 2019, Safeway and Safeway Foundation locally distributed nearly $3.3 million in food and financial support to help people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities, and veterans. So far in 2020, Safeway has donated more than $3 million in products and grants to support local hunger relief and other causes.
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