Origins:
Brookshire Grocery Company (BGC) has believed that serving a community means more than operating grocery stores — it means caring for neighbors. That belief has shaped the company's approach to fighting hunger for more than 40 years. What began with the Spirit of Christmas Food Drive in 1982 has grown into a year-round hunger relief initiative that helps ensure families have access to food whenever the need arises. Today, that commitment includes Spirit of Christmas, Food 2 Families and Compassion in Action — three hunger relief campaigns that support local food banks and pantries throughout the year. Spirit of Christmas, in its 44th year, raised more than $500,000 to support local hunger relief organizations in 2025. Reasor's 25th annual Food 2 Families campaign contributed an additional $78,000 to organizations serving families across eastern Oklahoma. In addition to monetary donations, BGC contributed nearly $200,000 worth of fresh produce — approximately 120,000 pounds—to regional food banks, helping increase access to healthy, nutritious food for families experiencing food insecurity. Recognizing that hunger doesn't end after the holidays, BGC introduced Compassion in Action in 2024 to address the critical summer months, when children lose access to school meal programs and food banks often experience declining donations. In 2026, the campaign raised more than $340,000 — more than doubling the previous year's total. While these programs have served communities for decades, BGC strengthened its long-standing commitment by establishing the Brookshire Communities Foundation in 2025. The Foundation unifies the company's charitable giving under a single philanthropic mission, ensuring that decades of community investment continue to grow.
Contribution:
Brookshire Grocery Company's hunger relief initiative reflects a shared commitment among customers, employee-partners and nonprofit organizations to care for the communities we serve. Over the past two years, BGC's annual hunger relief efforts have generated more than $1.1 million for local food banks, pantries and community organizations. Thousands of customers participate by making donations during checkout, while employee-partners champion the campaigns in stores and help connect local organizations with critical resources. Every dollar raised remains within the community where it is donated, allowing trusted local pantry partners to respond directly to the needs of their neighbors. Combined with significant donations of fresh produce, these efforts help strengthen food security in the nearly 200 communities across Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Together, these partnerships demonstrate what can happen when a retailer, its customers and nonprofit organizations unite around one purpose: ensuring neighbors have access to food when they need it most.
Objectives:
BGC's hunger relief initiative exists to ensure families have reliable access to food throughout the year, not only during the holidays but whenever need arises. The company's strategy is built around four objectives: provide meaningful financial support to local food banks and pantries; increase access to fresh, nutritious food; remove barriers to charitable giving by making donations convenient for customers; and inspire employee-partners, customers and community organizations to work together in addressing hunger locally. Recognizing that food insecurity is a year-round challenge, BGC intentionally expanded beyond its traditional holiday campaigns, launching Compassion in Action to help replenish food bank inventories during the summer months when donations often decrease while demand continues to increase. By investing in trusted local organizations and ensuring every dollar remains in the community where it was donated, BGC creates sustainable partnerships that strengthen neighborhoods and provide hope for families across its four-state footprint.
Impact:
The success of BGC's hunger relief initiative is measured not only by dollars raised, but by its ability to meet the changing needs of the communities it serves. Each year, BGC's combined campaigns generate more than $700,000 in monetary donations and approximately 500,000 pounds of food, helping provide meals for families across nearly 200 communities. The initiative succeeds because it removes barriers to giving. Customers can make donations of any amount during checkout through register prompts and donation scan coupons, while employee-partners promote the campaigns in stores and community partnerships help expand awareness throughout BGC's operating areas. Perhaps the program's greatest strength has been its evolution. Rather than relying solely on traditional holiday giving, BGC recognized a critical need during the summer months, when food banks often experience declining donations while demand continues to rise. The creation of Compassion in Action transformed decades of successful seasonal giving into a comprehensive year-round hunger relief initiative. The results continue to grow. Over the past two years, Spirit of Christmas has raised nearly $850,000 and Food 2 Families contributed more than $108,000 to the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Compassion in Action has generated more than half a million dollars in the campaign’s first three years, and more than doubled donations during its third year. Together with significant fresh produce donations and the establishment of the Brookshire Communities Foundation, these efforts reflect BGC's long-standing belief that serving a community means helping ensure no neighbor goes hungry.
Quote:
"At Brookshire Grocery Company, feeding people is more than our business — it's our responsibility," said Jerry LeClair, Interim CEO. “For generations, we've had the privilege of serving families around the dinner table, and we believe that responsibility extends beyond the groceries we sell. It means standing beside our communities when families need us most. Our hunger relief efforts reflect who we are as a company — neighbors helping neighbors. Through the generosity of our customers, the dedication of our employee-partners and the strength of our nonprofit partnerships, we've built a tradition of caring that has lasted more than four decades. The Brookshire Communities Foundation allows us to build on that legacy, ensuring we continue making a meaningful difference for generations to come."
Support Statement:
"Thank you! These donations are incredibly helpful in feeding those in need in our community." — Sarah Hoffman, Director of Development, Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana
"It's organizations like you that keep our doors open to help others in need." — Diana United Fund
"I cannot tell you how valuable your contributions have been to our community. In the last two years, you have allowed our small food pantry to do more for Thanksgiving and Christmas than we have ever done. I am so grateful for your help and support." — John Carabin, Living Proof Church
"This is tremendous and timely news. We appreciate Brookshire's hosting this campaign to raise awareness of food insecurity in our communities. Thank you again for your continued support of our neighbors in need." — Angela Roberts, Commerce Food Pantry
"We are forever grateful for our partnership with Brookshire Grocery Company." — Kim Hedges, Executive Director, Titus County Cares
Industry Topics address your specific area of expertise with resources, reports, events and more.
Our Research covers consumer behavior and retail operation benchmarks so you can make informed business decisions.
Events and Education including online and in-person help you advance your food retail career.
Food Safety training, resources and guidance that help you create a company food safety culture.
Government Affairs work — federal and state — on the latest food industry policy, regulatory and legislative issues.
Get Involved. From industry awards to newsletters and committees, these resources help you take advantage of your membership.
Best practices, guidance documents, infographics, signage and more for the food industry on the COVID-19 pandemic.
