Haggen’s Heroes Against Hunger Benefits EWFR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 31, 2022 Contact: Mimi Hardie Phone: (855) 366-3500 E-mail: mimi@eastwestfoodrescue.org

HAGGEN’S HEROES AGAINST HUNGER TO BENEFIT WASHINGTON BASED NONPROFITS DEDICATED TO ENDING HUNGER: INCLUDING FOOD RESCUE PIONEER EASTWEST FOOD RESCUE

OLYMPIA, Washington – Today, Haggen Food & Pharmacy is kicking-off their annual Heroes Against Hunger (HAH) campaign dedicated to supporting local organizations providing hunger relief. Customers can donate at any register during the campaign period of August 31 through October 25 and will benefit 28 organizations throughout the state of Washington, including Woodinville based EastWest Food Rescue.

“It is such a remarkable action when Haggen, a leader with such incredible reach and influence, prioritizes those experiencing food insecurity and commits to partnering with the greater hunger relief community,” said Monika Whitfield, Executive Director of East West Food Rescue. “We are immensely grateful to benefit from Haggen’s Heroes Against Hunger campaign and even more appreciative of Haggen’s willingness to bring hunger relief to the forefront.”

EastWest Food Rescue (EWFR) rescues or acquires surplus, fresh nutritious food, predominantly from farmers and distributes it to food agencies for free, with a focus on communities that are often overlooked. Since inception in 2020, EWFR has acquired or rescued and moved more than 58 million pounds of food, including 21 million in Washington state, to approximately 700 food agencies in 19 states, providing 46.4 million meals to 2.5 million individuals.

The mission of the Haggen Foundation is to bring positive, lasting change to the communities Haggen Food & Pharmacy serves. "As the need for essential hunger relief remains high, Haggen is honored to be a part of the solution to end hunger in our communities," said Kaily Hetherton, Community Relations Manager of Haggen Food & Pharmacy.

Since 2020, Haggen's Heroes Against Hunger fundraising campaign has raised more than $760,000 and benefitted 30 nonprofit organizations throughout Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, Island, King, Pierce and Thurston counties.