Smith’s Forges Community Ties

Smith’s Food and Drug gave charitable contributions of cash and in-kind donations to more than 2,700 organizations in 7 states in 2007. That works out to nearly $50,000 per store. Those numbers come from the Smith’s 2007 Report to the Community.

“We look for opportunities to have good partners who can reach out and help us touch our customers in the community. We want to support organizations that they care about, and issues that our customers care about,” says Marsha Gilford, Vice President of Public Affairs for Smith’s. “We have some overriding focus points that we like to work within, primarily we like to support issues that eradicate hunger and also like to address women’s health.”

In Utah alone, Smith’s donated to more than 180 agencies, focusing on a varying range of causes. “We have some overriding focus points that we like to work within, primarily we like to support issues that eradicate hunger and also like to address women’s health,” says Gilford. Smith’s also makes it a point to support education, giving more than half a million dollars through their “Earn and Learn” program.

The largest recipient was Primary Children’s Hospital. Smith’s donated $900,000 to help that facility. Gilford says giving to Primary Children’s is a great use of their charity. “Research indicates that Primary Children’s touches eight out of 10 Utah families. Because it reaches so deeply into our community, we’re big supporters of that.”

You can read the entire Smith's Report to the Community online at www.smithscommunity.com.

Listen to an interview with Marsha Gilford, Vice President of Public Affairs for Smith's Food and Drug