[SMO] – No family should ever go without – especially over the holidays – and with the help of shoppers, Whole Foods Market Valencia helped feed families in need through Single Mothers Outreach.

During November and December, shoppers at the Valencia market got into the spirit of giving by purchasing and donating meals and other essentials for families in need at the register. Shoppers made a donation of $5, $10, $25, or more and provided a full meal for a family of four and include healthy options from Whole Foods Market’s 365 Everyday Value line of products as well as a personal care kit filled with body lotion, shower gel and shampoo. As items are purchased and donated, Whole Foods Market Valencia gave them to partner nonprofit, Single Mothers Outreach, which distributed the items to local families in need.

From left: AmyKate Gowland, Volunteer, SMO, Maria Clemens, Programs & Services Director, SMO, Carolyn Olsen, Operations Director SMO, DaAnne Smith, Executive Director,SMO, Abbigaile Urioste, Marketing & Community Outreach, WFM, Neil Hong, Customer Service Team Leader, WFM, Ruth Davis, Cashier, WFM, Holly Ravenscroft-Wearly, Cashier, WFM. Cashiers raised the highest volume donations during drive.

Through their generous “Feed 4 More” campaign, Whole Foods Market Valencia increased community awareness of Single Mothers Outreach and donated over $6,500 in food and body care products:

540 cans of pears

540 boxers of oatmeal

480 packages of mandarin oranges

216 jars of peanut butter

240 boxes of macaroni and cheese

264 bottles of shampoo

168 boxes of crackers

300 jars of spaghetti sauce

312 cans of peas

192 bottles of shower gel

240 packages of spaghetti

96 cartons of applesauce

120 bottles of body lotion

264 cartons of soup

66 cartons of almond milk

This program was such a huge success that Whole Foods Market reached its food purchasing goal by the end of November.  All funds collected during the month of December were tallied and totaled $1728.68, all of which was donated to Single Mothers Outreach.

Single Mothers Outreach is still giving away food from this program by distributing  food to newly enrolled families. They are thrilled to receive the delicious, healthy food.