Grocery Outlet raises $16,546 for Food insecurity in Crook County

Bend, OR. (KTVZ) --- The Grocery Outlet Independence from Hunger Campaign raised $16,546 during the month of July to support local children and families through the Family Access Network. The funds raised will be converted into Grocery Outlet gift cards and distributed to Crook County clients throughout the year.

This marks the fourth consecutive year Grocery Outlet Prineville selected the Family Access Network as the beneficiary of the fundraiser. Store owners Rhonda and Lambert Bourgo partnered with 10 local businesses that matched patron checkout donations up to $500 each, contributing $4,899 toward the final total.

The participating matching businesses included 7th Street Dental, Slater Chiropractic, The Lumberyard, Bigfoot Rentals, Williams Family Electric, Wild Ride Brewery, NW Graphicworks, Bayberry Lane, Sunrise Pool & Spa and St. Charles Health Systems. During the campaign, Family Access Network employees, board members and volunteers visited the Prineville store to bag groceries and assist customers.

Tasha McFarland serves as board chair for the Family Access Network Foundation. “This is such an amazing event! I'm so grateful for these generous matching partners,” McFarland said. “When I was at Grocery Outlet today, I was just blown away by the generosity of their staff and customers.”

Founded in 1993, the Family Access Network places advocates directly inside schools across Central Oregon to connect children and families with assistance. The organization employs 28 advocates across 66 sites in Deschutes, Crook and Jefferson counties, serving more than 7,600 children and family members annually.