Store ranks #1 in holiday meals for troops

On Tuesday, November 30, Jay Anderson, president of Operation Homefront, presented an award to the Fallbrook Albertsons store for raising the most donations out of 58 participating locations in the San Diego and Southern Riverside areas to provide holiday meals for military troops.

“This effort went way beyond anything I could have imagined,” said Anderson. “Fallbrook was the number one store!”

Store Director Kirk Sandow said the store’s customers donated enough funds to provide 300 family meals. The meals sponsored by Fallbrook shoppers fed the families of the 1st Medical Battalion on Camp Pendleton and were picked up by Base representatives on November 23.

Each family meal consisted of one turkey weighing between 10 and 12 lbs, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetables, fresh rolls, and pumpkin pie.

“Each meal is designed to feed between six and eight people,” explained Sandow.

The donation drive, called “Giving Thanks to our Military Families” took place in the store from November 1 through 21. Shoppers were invited to donate $1, $5, $10 or more to the effort.

“One guy came in the store several times during that time period and every time he donated $25,” said Shelley Chamberland, who supervises the check-out area, “but everyone played a part in this success. Active duty military customers are a big part of this store, but we also have a lot of veterans who shop here and parents of active duty military personnel. Everyone is very enthusiastic about showing their support.”

Fallbrook is a very patriotic town, confirmed Tim Cooley, assistant store director.

“This is the most giving town I have ever worked in with Albertsons, and I’ve worked at 14 different stores in my career,” said Cooley. “It demonstrates how much Fallbrook wants to show their thanks for what the troops do.”

All 58 participating Albertsons stores combined raised enough in donations to provide 4,200 meals to military families.

“This unique program provided military families with tangible, demonstrable evidence that the community realizes and appreciates the sacrifices they make, particularly during the holidays,” said Anderson. “This huge undertaking would not have been possible if it were not for the generosity of the Albertson’s patrons who donated the funds to purchase the dinners.”

In addition, the Fallbrook store representatives presented Anderson with a $10,000 check from Albertsons (all 58 stores) for the Operation Homefront program.

While the food drive for military families was immensely successful, store personnel have not retreated in their efforts to help those in need. They are currently running a Christmas meal food drive through December 24 for the Fallbrook Food Pantry.

“Our goal is to collect enough donations to provide 200 family dinners to the pantry,” said Cooley.

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