FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PCC Natural Markets celebrates 18-years of Cash for the Hungry* program with new food bank partner
Seattle, Wash., March 3, 2006 — PCC Natural Markets has selected the Hopelink Food Bank in Redmond, WA, as its newest "Cash for the Hungry"* program partner.
Through the Cash for the Hungry* program, PCC customers donate cash while shopping at one of PCC's seven Puget Sound locations, or online through PCC's Web site. All funds are used to buy nutritious bulk foods at wholesale prices, which are then repackaged into smaller portions for distribution to food bank clients in areas PCC serves.
PCC volunteers repackage the food at two-hour work parties held each month. In 2005 more than $53,600 in shopper donations were used to purchase 69,396 pounds of food. Nearly 200 people volunteered more than 1,025 hours to help repackage the food.
"Our new partnership with PCC Natural Markets has already benefited Hopelink Redmond greatly," said Scott Milne, Hopelink Redmond Center Manager. "At the inaugural packaging party last month, 25 PCC volunteers helped package over 1,400 pounds of food, in about an hour! The much-needed items included corn meal, granola, brown rice, soup mix and beans; a nice assortment of natural and nutritious food items that appeals to the various tastes of the clients we serve."
"We are delighted to be in partnership with Hopelink Redmond, a highly respected organization that does so much to support the Redmond community," said Kim Smith, Cash for the Hungry* program administrator. We look forward to a relationship as successful as those we have with our other partner organizations*."
The addition of Hopelink Redmond as a Cash for the Hungry* partner not only celebrates the long success of the program, but also the much-anticipated store PCC will open in Redmond in late spring.
According to the program founder, Tim Bernthal, Cash for the Hungry* was started in 1989 in response to the wish of PCC shoppers to "make a personal contribution to, and a local connection with, their communities." Making a difference in the Redmond community, even before opening the doors of its new store, is in keeping with the spirit of the program and the mission of PCC.
About Hopelink Redmond:
Hopelink has served North and East King County for the past 35 years, specifically serving the Redmond community for more than 20 years through its food bank program. Hopelink Redmond currently serves about 560 households, or 1,800 individuals, each month. Hopelink Redmond also provides financial services to families and individuals that have emergency needs, such as eviction prevention, utility services, and various other necessities. www.hope-link.org
About PCC Natural Markets:
Headquartered in Seattle, WA, PCC Natural Markets is a certified organic retailer, with annual sales of $93 million and an active membership of nearly 40,000. PCC operates seven locations in the Fremont, View Ridge, Greenlake, West Seattle, Seward Park, Kirkland, Issaquah, and soon-to-be Redmond neighborhoods. www.pccnaturalmarkets.com
* The name "Cash for the Hungry" was officially changed to the PCC Food Bank Program in 2006.
PCC Cash for the Hungry program partners:
FamilyWorks Food Bank (division of Fremont Public Association)
Greenwood Food Bank (division of Volunteers of America Western Washington)
Hopelink Kirkland Food Bank
Hopelink Redmond Food Bank
Issaquah Food and Clothing Bank
Jewish Family Services
Peace on the Streets by Kids from the Streets
University District Food Bank
West Seattle Food Bank