The company will donate more than 20,000 roasting hens – one for each food box that is distributed. The boxes will contain items such as canned meat, peanut butter, dried beans, rice, pasta, sugar and flour. Store employees have assembled food grab-bags of these items that can be purchased and donated. Monetary donations can also be made using scan coupons at store registers. Local service organizations and food pantries will pick up, sort, and distribute the food by Dec. 22.

"For 89 years, serving people in our stores and communities has remained central to who we are as a company,” said Brad Brookshire, Chairman and CEO. “Our giving program concentrates heavily on hunger relief throughout the year, and this food drive at Christmas has become a remarkable success. I want to thank our employees, customers and local service groups for their tremendous efforts and generosity.” 

The Spirit of Christmas Food Drive began in Tyler, Texas, in 1982 with the Rose City Kiwanis Club. Ninety-two families were assisted that year. The food drive assists approximately 16,000 households each year, providing about a half-million pounds of food to people in need.