Raley's NickelAid Campaign to Benefit NoCal, Nevada Libraries

Next summer, Raley’s Family of Fine Stores plans to help kids throughout Northern California and Northern Nevada sharpen their reading skills through a series of summer reading programs offered by community libraries via the grocer’s annual NickelAid program.

In a recent contest hosted on Raley’s Facebook page, customers had the opportunity to vote daily for one of four potential nonprofit organizations to be selected as this year’s NickelAid partner. Nearly 50 percent of all voters chose to support public libraries during the two-week campaign.

“On behalf of Raley’s, we are very excited to partner with both the California Library Association and the Nevada Library Association to support summer reading through the NickelAid campaign,” said Jennifer Teel-Wolter, community relations manager for Raley’s. “NickelAid has quickly become a valuable way for local organizations to secure funding for vital programs and specific needs.”

NickelAid was launched in 2011 at Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods and Food Source stores. Through the program, every time a shopper uses a reusable grocery bag – paper, plastic or canvas – at any Raley’s and Food Source store, the company donates 5 cents per bag to a special fund while absorbing all administrative fees related to the effort. This results in 100 percent of the donation going directly to the designated participant. Past recipients of NickelAid funds have included the California State Parks Foundation, the Nevada State Parks Fund and the American Heart Association.

Past NickelAid programs have included the purchase and installation of new picnic tables at Sand Harbor State Park and efforts to increase heart-healthy fitness among at-risk families through the American Heart Association.