Raley’s Family of Fine Stores donated more than 12,500 turkeys, chickens and hams – which helped provide holiday meals for 65,000 individuals throughout Northern California and Nevada.

Each of the 114 Raley’s, Bel Air and Nob Hill store locations within the chain made a $1,000 donation of meat to benefit local food banks, totaling more than 81,000 pounds of nutritious protein.

The donation was prepared at the Raley’s Distribution Center in Natomas for delivery to stores chain wide for food bank pick-up. The donations stay locally in the community of each individual store.

Hunger is a growing problem in the United States and it knows no boundaries. It is estimated that one in five kids in the United States is without consistent access to adequate food. A recent report revealed California’s child poverty rate – 27 percent – is the worst in the nation.

Quality, wholesome proteins can often be cost prohibitive to individuals suffering with food insecurity.

“Access to healthy food is important for all families, and this meat donation provides protein and hard to get nutrients, like iron and zinc, to those who need it,” said Emily Satrazemis, Raley’s Corporate Dietician. “By providing a wholesome and high quality protein to these families, we can add balance and nutrition to their dinner table.”

For over 80 years, Raley’s spirit of giving has been a cornerstone of the organization, giving back and supporting communities in many ways. This year, Raley’s has partnered with local food banks to provide the meat donation at a time when food banks are at their greatest need for donations. Raley’s is proudly partnered with 74 food banks throughout Northern California and Nevada.