Fred Meyer celebrates store remodel with big donation to Food Lifeline

Store manager Jennifer Spence presents a $62,000 check
to Food Lifeline's Mitra Karami and Renee Rosier
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

On Wednesday, November 7, 2018, Fred Meyer celebrated the completion of the $12 million remodel of their Shoreline store, 18325 Aurora Ave N, Shoreline 98133, with a ribbon cutting and ceremonial presentation of a check for $62,000 to Food Lifeline.

Shoppers line up early to get free breakfast items
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

They started at 7am with free breakfast items to the first 200 shoppers. Some people were lined up before 6:30am waiting for the doors to open. A diverse group of shoppers each took away 1 dozen eggs, a package of bacon and a half gallon of orange juice.

There were free glazed donuts and Starbucks provided free coffee to shoppers.

Sherrill Ereckson (Garden Center Manager) and Jan Henderson
(Hanging Deli clerk) cut the ribbon
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

The ceremony started on time with many corporate employees, representatives from the construction company, local political, Chamber of Commerce, and Food Lifeline representatives as well as store employees and family. 

• Food Lifeline - Renee Rosier (Director of Volunteer Engagement) and Mitra Karami (Major Gifts Officer)
• Shoreline Mayor Will Hall and Councilmember Chris Roberts
• Chamber of Commerce President Dale Sutton, Secretary Judy Parson and other chamber members
• Nate Daum, City of Shoreline Economic Development
• Fred Meyer Tenured Associates (38 years each) - Sherrill Ereckson (Garden Center Manager) and Jan Henderson (Hanging Deli clerk)
• Fred Meyer President, Joe Grieshaber
• Fred Meyer District Manager, Jim Harvey
• Store Director, Jennifer Spence

Nate Daum acknowledges his introduction while Food Lifeline, Shoreline councilmembers,
Chamber officers, and the store manager look on
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

According to a spokesperson for Fred Meyer, 

We are really focused on moving the needle with our Zero Hunger / Zero Waste strategy and Food Lifeline is a big partner for us on that journey. We donate huge amounts of food to them in addition to money. 

Local community is very important to us and that is why we partner with local agencies and politicians. We are planning an even bigger check presentation for Food Lifeline at our Monroe store re grand opening on Wednesday, November 14.

Shoppers fill the aisles
Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Food Lifeline, whose warehouse was previously in Shoreline, is the "food banks' food bank." They have the capacity to take in and purchase large quantities of food. They repackage it and distribute it to the small, local food banks who serve local communities. 

Large cash donations allow them to purchase food in bulk, getting a better deal than any individual food bank can on its own.

Fred Meyer's Zero Hunger / Zero Waste mission: "We're committed to ending hunger in the communities we call home and eliminating waste across our company by 2025."