Hy-Vee Announces Next Group of Donations to Support Organizations Working Toward Racial Equality
June 26, 2020 | News & Press Releases
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (June 26, 2020) — Hy-Vee, Inc. announces today its next group of donations to several organizations across the Midwest that are working toward racial equality and racial unity. Today’s donations, totaling $150,000, are part of Hy-Vee’s previously announced $1 million and 1 million volunteer-hour commitment to organizations that are working directly with neighborhoods and local residents to support these goals.
“Throughout our history, Hy-Vee has always worked to be a good partner and neighbor in the communities we serve,” said Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee’s chairman, CEO and president. “We want these donations to be just the next step in our work of being a good neighbor for all our customers and communities, and part of our continued efforts to learn and grow as a company.”
The organizations that will receive these donations are three Des Moines-based groups that have been longtime partners with Hy-Vee: the Evelyn K. Davis Center, the NAACP Des Moines branch, and Urban Dreams.
“We have been working alongside Hy-Vee for several years to help address the needs of many of our Des Moines residents,” said Kameron Middlebrooks, president of NAACP Des Moines. “When the Harding Hills Hy-Vee location flooded two years ago, and many in that area were left without a place to get healthy, affordable food, Hy-Vee stepped up and provided free transportation to another of their nearby stores. They made sure that the Harding Hills Hy-Vee store came back for its customers, and came back better than ever. They are committed to serving this city, and we’re happy to come alongside Hy-Vee during this time.”
The Evelyn K. Davis Center helps central Iowans build their educational and job dreams by providing workforce training, employment opportunities and financial coaching services. The center is a partnership among the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, The Directors Council, United Way of Central Iowa and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC).
The local NAACP Des Moines branch is committed to providing equal opportunity for jobs, education, health care and the criminal justice system, as well as protecting voting rights. Its mission is to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
Urban Dreams provides a wide range of human service programs that break down barriers to underserved and underrepresented populations throughout Des Moines’ inner city and central Iowa. Some of the programs Urban Dreams offers include outpatient substance abuse treatment, workforce development, community connectivity, mental health treatment and more.
Earlier this week, Hy-Vee’s 11 stores in the Twin Cities participated in the culmination of its weeklong “Stuff-A-Truck” campaign that sent 18 semi truckloads of supplies to 10 local organizations across the Twin Cities. The week prior, customers could donate any dollar amount at the register during checkout to help purchase groceries and other items to fill the trucks. During the “Stuff-A-Truck” campaign, customers also were able to purchase pre-filled bags of food and essential supplies for $5 or $10 to add to the trucks. Hy-Vee also donated $100,000 toward the purchase food and supplies. The convoy of 18 trucks distributed those supplies across the metro, providing items like groceries, bottled water, infant formula and diapers that will now be distributed to those in need in areas in the Twin Cities, especially those neighborhoods that have recently become food deserts.
With today’s announcements, Hy-Vee has donated $470,000 toward its previously announced $1 million commitment of donations to organizations working toward racial unity and equality.
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Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 265 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $10 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. The company’s more than 85,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.