June 19, 2020 | News & Press Releases
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (June 19, 2020) — In honor of Juneteenth, Hy-Vee, Inc. announces today that it is donating more than $220,000 to several organizations that support racial equality and racial unity. The donations are the first three donations to come out of Hy-Vee’s previously announced $1 million and 1 million volunteer-hour commitment to organizations that support these goals.
“Juneteenth represents a significant turning point in our country’s history that should be honored and celebrated by all,” said Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee’s chairman, CEO and president. “Recent events have shown us the importance of strengthening our partnerships with local organizations that are bringing people of all backgrounds together. We know we have more to do and believe that by working together, we can make lasting changes.”
The organizations that will receive the initial donations include the Starts Right Here organization, based in Des Moines, Iowa; the Alan Page Foundation, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM), based in Kansas City, Missouri.
“Hy-Vee has always been a company to step up and help during times of need,” said Will Keeps, president of the Starts Right Here organization. “When COVID-19 hit and many people of all backgrounds needed food, they organized a massive food drive that is still helping people today. Now as we all work to elevate the conversation around racial unity, they are once again leading the way, and I hope other businesses and individuals will follow with similar commitments.”
Starts Right Here is a Des Moines-based organization that encourages and educates at-risk youth using the arts, entertainment, hip-hop, music, programs and a variety of other methods to empower young people to interact constructively, build significant relationships and encourage positive life choices. Hy-Vee’s $50,000 will help with the build out and development of additional vocational programming, volunteer programs and mentoring at the organization’s Des Moines facility that is currently under construction.
The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) in Kansas City, Missouri, is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of African-American baseball and its social advancement in the U.S. Hy-Vee has supported NLBM and has been a presenting sponsor of its Hall of Game since 2014. Hy-Vee’s additional $50,000 donation to the organization will help support the museum’s future community outreach.
The Page Education Foundation provides scholarships to underprivileged minority students throughout the state of Minnesota. Hy-Vee’s $120,000 donation will go toward creating more scholarship awards and providing further education and mentorship opportunities for students.
Additionally, Hy-Vee’s 11 stores in the Twin Cities are holding a donation campaign and “Stuff-A-Truck” event this week and weekend, partnering with customers and suppliers to donate more than 15 truckloads of food and essentials, valued at more than $700,000, to support area residents in need and help restock local food banks.
# # #
Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 265 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $10 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. The company’s more than 85,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.