Thanks to the generosity of Raley’s customers, employees and community partners, Raley’s Food For Families annual holiday bag campaign surpassed its goal by nearly 50 percent, raising 2.9 million pounds of food in Northern California and Northern Nevada. The total, raised from Nov. 7 through Dec. 31, is among the highest in recent years and set a new bar for 2015.

“This year was one of our best Holiday Bag campaigns ever,” said Jennifer Teel-Wolter, Executive Director of Food For Families “Not only did we raise nearly 3 million pounds of food for those in need, we also did it by providing fresh and healthy options to our food banks. We’re thrilled to see how the community supported this effort and we’re so grateful to everyone who participated.”

Once again, Raley’s made holiday giving easy with its 29th annual Food For Families Holiday Bag Campaign through Facebook and mobile text donation capabilities in addition to in-store donations. For just $10, customers could donate a bag of wholesome food to FFF. Raley’s more than doubled all donations, turning each $10 donation into more than $27 worth of food. All donations stayed in the communities in which they were raised and were distributed by local Food For Families food bank partners. Each holiday bag provided 21 meals and included more fresh produce than ever before, and, for the first time, milk in addition to pantry staples like whole wheat pasta and tuna. Seventy-three regional food banks distributed holiday bags purchased to benefit local families.

In addition to the 2.9 million pounds of food, Raley’s once again donated over 100,000 pounds of fresh turkeys, chickens and hams, which provide over 80,000 meals.