Snow might still be on the ground, but Festival Foods is already looking greener.
An annual Shamrock Icon fundraiser is underway for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The campaign sends kids facing the challenges of the disease to experience summer camp for the first time while also providing funds for research.
Through March 24, guests at the store can tack on a donation during their normal grocery run by choosing a $1 or $5 shamrock at check-out. These can be signed and are then hung up near the registers.
“The generosity of our guests and our associates is really amazing and all the dollars raised help support a great need,” said Holly Thomas, Front End Manager.
Last year, the store raised $3,000 and has set a goal of $5,000 this time around. Festival Foods stores statewide all participate in the shamrock fundraiser. In 2018, their efforts raised $71,290, enough to send 25 kids to summer camp, fund 7 research grants, 14 months of research, and 28 MDA care center visits.
The summer camps hosted by MDA allow kids with muscular dystrophy to do normal camp activities like swimming or even horseback riding. “They wouldn’t get to do all these activities on a normal basis,” said Thomas. Every year, Festival Foods sends employees to volunteer time at the MDA camp.
Visit Festival Foods 24/7 at 1613 N Central Ave.
