Retailers Give Back Locally with Food

BAK, Calif. and FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. -- It's that thankful time of year when retailers' charitable actions revolve around food, and despite a down economy, this year is no exception.

Chevron presented a check for more than $26,500 to the Golden Empire Gleaners, a local, volunteer food bank that serves nearly 500,000 people in Kern County, Calif., every year.

Of that amount, more than $11,500 was raised entirely through Chevron San Joaquin Valley employee donations during this summer's annual "Oil Can Do It" food drive. The employees raised money in a variety of ways, from hosting barbecues to rolling ice cream carts down the office halls for contributions, Turnto23.com reported.

The local program falls under a broader Chevron U.S. effort launched in 2008, Chevron Humankind, which gives employees the opportunity to engage with non-profit community partners to make their communities better. Chevron's vision for the program is to be the global energy company most admired for people, partnerships and performance.

Chevron also contributed $15,000 to the food bank to sponsor its senior sack program that targets low-income seniors in Kern County as recipients of food, the report stated.

In other charity news, the Associated Food & Petroleum Dealers (AFPD) will provide 2,400 families in the metro Detroit area with free turkeys for their Thanksgiving dinners, which equals approximately 28,800 meals (at 12 servings per turkey).

As the trade organization for the food, beverage and petroleum industries in Michigan and Ohio, the AFPD is in its 29th year of providing needy families with turkeys for the holidays. Since 1980, the AFPD program has donated more than 48,000 turkeys for a total of approximately 576,000 meals, according to the organization.

"This is one way our local independent retailers work together with the community to provide local needy families with a holiday meal," stated Jane Shallal, AFPD president and CEO. "Many retailers and other local businesses have given generously to this program."

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