ECHO, Inc. receives $100,000 grant from Albertsons and Safeway Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors
Farmington, NM – 9/13/21 – Economic Council Helping Others (ECHO), Inc.’s work to mitigate hunger issues was aided recently by a $100,000 grant from Albertsons and Safeways Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Program that aims to help connect qualified individuals with existing federal meal programs such as SNAP, WIC, P-EBT, and free or reduced school nutrition programs.
These funds will be used to hire a SNAP outreach coordinator to facilitate the application process for individuals and families in our community that need assistance applying for, or renewing SNAP benefits.
“This generous donation from Albertsons and Safeway Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors will help ECHO, Inc. address hunger issues in our community by connecting individuals in need with federal programs designed to reduce hunger issues,” said ECHO, Inc. CEO, Nanette Pinckney. “We’re grateful to partner with Nourishing Neighbors to help ensure our neighbors have enough to eat.”
ECHO, Inc. has been feeding hungry neighbors in San Juan County for over 50 years by providing multiple food programs at the ECHO Food Bank. For example The Emergency Food Box (TEFAP) for all ages and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) for seniors 60 and older. By providing these commodity programs it supplements their personal grocery buying that is many times purchased through SNAP. The ECHO Food bank serves thousands of individuals and families each month who may be facing food insecurity which allows them to focus on other items they may need such as medications or simply paying their rent.
The goal of Albertsons and Safeway Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors Program is to eradicate hunger in America by partnering with top-notch organizations like ECHO, Inc.
Together we can empower our community to thrive.
Locally great and nationally strong, Albertson’s Companies is one of the largest food and drug retailers in the United States. Albertsons Cos. operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia under 20 well-known banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen and Carrs. The Denver Division has 124 Safeway and Albertsons stores in five states, including Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, South Dakota and Nebraska, and employs more than 10,000 people. Albertsons Cos. is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2019 alone, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the Company gave nearly $225 million in food and financial support. These efforts helped millions of people in the areas of hunger relief, education, cancer research and treatment, programs for people with disabilities and veterans outreach.