Jewel-Osco® Hunger Relief Grant Program Helping to Fund Area Food Pantries & Soup Kitchens

ITASCA, Ill., Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- JEWEL-OSCO, a leading Midwest food and drug retailer, announced that the company is accepting applications for its Hunger Relief Grant Program, designed to fund the operational needs of food pantries and soup kitchens.

Now in its third year, the $300,000 block grant program is conducted in partnership with three Feeding America area food banks, the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD), the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana (FBNI).

"Food pantries and soup kitchens are a lifeline to many families during these difficult economic times," said JEWEL-OSCO President Keith Nielsen. "Hunger relief is a key part of our community partnership agenda. We know these funds will be put to good use."

Qualified agencies can apply for grants of up to $2,500 that are designed to improve their operational efficiency and maximize their existing resources. The grant program also offers a food credit of up to $750, which is administered directly through the participating food banks. Agencies have until Sept. 20, 2010 to submit their completed grant requests by mail.

Last year, the Hunger Relief Grant Program provided over 170 pantries with funding to buy equipment such as stoves, refrigerators, shelving and sorting tables. The program also provided funding for the transportation and delivery of food supplies.

"JEWEL-OSCO is making a big difference in our communities, and because of their support for the hunger relief network that we serve, we know more people who need food help will get it," said H. Dennis Smith, CEO of the Northern Illinois Food Bank. "We could not serve so many neighbors without their support and partnership."

"According to our most recent data, we now serve one in eight people in Cook County," said Kate Maehr, CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

"It's the support of partners like JEWEL-OSCO that helps our network of pantries, soup kitchens and shelters respond to the need. We are so grateful for JEWEL-OSCO's investment in these community-based efforts."

"The Hunger Relief Grant Program offers an amazing opportunity for pantries and soup kitchens to access much needed financial support," said Angie Williams, executive director of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. "The funds received through the program help our agencies to be better equipped and better prepared to feed the increasing number of clients that visit their organizations. We are all truly grateful that such a wonderful program exists."

For more information about this year's grant program and how to request funding, local pantries and soup kitchens can contact their local food bank:

About JEWEL-OSCO

JEWEL-OSCO, a SUPERVALU company, operates 182 stores in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. With a market-leading position in Chicago, JEWEL-OSCO stores offer consumers the convenience of combined grocery and pharmacy retail, in addition to services such as fuel centers at select locations. Originally established in 1899, the company and its associates remain committed to the communities they serve. For more information about JEWEL-OSCO, please visit www.jewelosco.com or www.oscopharmacy.com.

About SUPERVALU INC.

SUPERVALU INC. is one of the largest companies in the U.S. grocery channel with estimated annual sales of $39 billion. SUPERVALU serves customers across the United States through a network of approximately 4,290 stores composed of approximately 1,160 traditional retail stores, including 840 in-store pharmacies; 1,190 hard-discount Save-A-Lot stores, of which 855 are operated by licensee owners; and 1,940 independent stores serviced primarily by the company's traditional food distribution business. SUPERVALU has approximately 160,000 employees. For more information about SUPERVALU, visit www.supervalu.com.

SOURCE JEWEL-OSCO