Save Mart’s Big Red plus 50 grocery carts with food and gifts donated by company employees and suppliers
Modesto, Calif., December 21, 2012– What started last year as a “friendly” department competition called “Giving Trees” between the corporate offices of Save Mart Supermarkets exploded into an all out “giving war,” with the Modesto Gospel Mission reaping the benefits. This year’s donations, which tripled from last year, included 185 gift packages and 17 bicycles, tricycles, and scooters. Over 100 children and teens living at the Gospel Mission have had their wish lists filled.
Decorated trees made of canned and packaged goods were built, judged, and then dismantled and piled in shopping carts. Canned hams donated by Sunny Valley Smoked Meats of Manteca, were delivered Monday, Dec. 17. Major vendors decorated Save Mart’s corporate lobby with donated product to support the effort.
Wednesday, December 19, a “Giving Tree” parade of 50 shopping carts, 11 loaded vans, and almost all of the Yosemite Avenue office employees carrying packages, took the donated food and gifts to the Gospel Mission. Save Mart’s giant custom motorized cart, Big Red, was on hand to give Santa and a couple of his elves a ride and to help deliver the goods.
Save Mart’s corporate employees and vendor partners celebrated the holiday season once again by giving a “hand up” to those who needed it most this season. It was a joyful experience for all.