Food City Race Against Hunger

Origins:

Food City’s commitment to fighting food insecurity dates back more than three decades. The company first became involved in hunger-relief fundraising efforts in 1992 through partnerships with third-party organizations such as Food for All. Recognizing the growing need for local food assistance throughout their market area, Food City transitioned the initiative in-house in 2012. This change enabled the company to streamline the program and strengthen their relationships with local hunger-relief agencies within the communities they serve. Today, Race Against Hunger remains one of the company's signature community outreach programs and reflects its long-standing dedication to addressing food insecurity throughout its market area.

The annual campaign serves as a collaborative effort between Food City, its valued customers, and dedicated team of associates to combat hunger across their service area. The program raises awareness about food insecurity while generating critical financial support for hunger-relief organizations. The program demonstrates the power of collective giving, bringing together thousands of shoppers and employees who share a common goal of ensuring those in need have access to nutritious meals. Through sustained community engagement and corporate leadership, Race Against Hunger has become a trusted and impactful initiative that benefits hundreds of local charitable organizations each year.

Contribution:

A key strength of the Race Against Hunger campaign is its simplicity and accessibility. During the fundraising period, customers and associates are invited to make a donation of $1, $3, or $5 at checkout, or round up their purchase total to the nearest dollar. Food City has also expanded participation opportunities through its online shopping platform, enabling digital customers to contribute as well. Cashiers actively promote the campaign, ensuring every customer is given the opportunity to participate throughout the month-long program. 100% of the proceeds are distributed to local hunger-relief organizations, ensuring contributions have a direct and measurable impact. The program's success is made possible through the combined efforts of Food City associates, their loyal customers, and nonprofit agencies, all working together to address food insecurity across the region.

Objectives:

The primary objective of the Race Against Hunger campaign is to help alleviate food insecurity within the communities Food City serves. As economic challenges, inflation, and rising living costs continue to affect households, the demand for food assistance has increased significantly. Food City recognizes this growing need and remains committed to supporting organizations that provide vital assistance to those in need.

Specific program objectives include:

- Raising critical funds for local hunger-relief agencies.
- Increasing public awareness of food insecurity issues.
- Strengthening partnerships between Food City and community nonprofit organizations.
- Encouraging customer and associate engagement in charitable giving.
- Supporting sustainable access to food resources for families and individuals facing hardship.

Through these efforts, Food City consistently raises more than $500,000 annually, helping local organizations expand their reach and provide essential services to those in need.

Impact:

The program proceeds are presented to over 300 hunger relief organizations across Food City’s market area. Approximately four meals are provided for every dollar donated.  

Food City’s Race Against Hunger campaign delivers significant and measurable results throughout their market area. Funds generated through the initiative are distributed to more than 300 hunger-relief organizations, including food banks, food pantries, community kitchens, and other nonprofit agencies dedicated to feeding those in need. The effectiveness of the program is demonstrated by its ability to convert financial contributions into meaningful assistance. On average, every dollar donated provides approximately four meals, multiplying the impact of each contribution and maximizing benefits for recipients. The program's longevity, annual fundraising success, and broad network of participating organizations serve as strong indicators of its effectiveness and community value. Beyond the numbers, Race Against Hunger strengthens local communities by helping ensure that vulnerable populations have access to nutritious food, helping reduce hunger-related hardships, and fostering a culture of compassion and collective responsibility. Its continued growth and sustained support from customers and associates underscore the program's enduring success and its importance as a cornerstone of Food City's community engagement efforts.

Quote:

“Hunger is a serious problem throughout our region and Food City’s Race Against Hunger provides vital support to numerous hunger relief organizations throughout our market area to help those in need across the communities we serve,” - Steven C. Smith, Food City President/CEO.

Support Statement:

For generations, the Empty Stocking Fund has been a lifeline for East Tennessee families who face food insecurity during the holiday season. And without the help of generous partners like the Race Against Hunger, the Empty Stocking Fund could not fulfill its mission of ensuring that no family goes hungry during the holidays. This year’s support exemplifies that impact. The Race Against Hunger grant toward our annual Food City purchase represents one of the most significant contributions we receive, and directly provided food for a week, including a festive holiday meal, for 20 families. Because the Empty Stocking Fund is powered entirely by volunteers, every dollar donated goes directly toward helping those in need. The Race Against Hunger transforms community goodwill into meaningful action, helping provide meals, hope and dignity to thousands of our neighbors. The commitment from Race Against Hunger enables the Empty Stocking Fund to continue a more than century-long tradition of caring for East Tennessee families when they need it most. - Joel Christopher, Executive Editor, Knoxville News Sentinel

Through its annual in-store campaigns, Food City has become a trusted partner in the fight against food insecurity across East Tennessee. Their consistent support not only inspires customers to give back but also provides Second Harvest with store gift cards that allow us to purchase food and essential items at reduced costs. This flexibility helps us respond quickly to community needs while stretching every donated dollar even further. Because of partnerships like this, Second Harvest maintains a 95% efficiency rating, ensuring that the vast majority of every dollar invested directly supports our mission of providing food to neighbors facing hunger. Together, we are maximizing resources, reducing waste, and helping ensure that children, families, and seniors have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive. - Kristi Rule, Chief Development Officer, Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee