STUDIO CITY—Ralphs and Food 4 Less began their Bringing Hope to the Table campaign on November 6 across Studio City, Sherman Oaks and Los Angeles, as well as throughout parts of Chicago and Nevada. Donation boxes located at the check-stand of the stores will raise money for Feeding America, a nationwide web of food banks and other hunger prevention organizations.

Foodbank President/CEO Michael Flood accepts $100,000 from Ralphs and Food 4 Less employees. Photo courtesy of L.A. Regional Foodbank.

Feeding America, founded in Chicago in 1979, is one of the most predominant food assistance services in the United States. In a statement, President and CEO Vicki Escarra told the media that one in six people face food insecurity. Their organization aims to eliminate hunger in America while providing assistance to those struggling to provide for their families and themselves. According to their website, they help feed 37 million Americans each year.

Kroger, the parent company of Ralphs and Food 4 Less, is working in conjunction with Feeding America again this year to support their cause. The L.A. Regional Foodbank, which is based in Vernon, Calif., is among the hundreds of food banks that belong to the network. Ralphs alone donates more than four million pounds of food every year, according to Shelf Life, a quarterly newsletter published by L.A. Regional Foodbank.

A USDA publication on food security statistics shows an increase in food insecurity in households from 1998 to 2010. Last year, 14.5 percent of households - this is just over one in seven - dealt with food insecurity for some period of time over a 12-month period, according to the USDA. California is among the states with a higher percentage of food insecurity, placed around 15.9 percent.

Store clerks around the San Fernando Valley spoke with Canyon News, expressing the view that they “are happy to have this program,” and it appears to be a success thus far. Change from purchases and small donations are all valuable. Bringing Hope to the Table announced that last year more than $5.3 million in food and funds were donated by customers between November and January.

-