Supervalu’s Chicago-based Jewel-Osco subsidiary made good on its pledge to donate 2,400 turkey meals for needy families last week as part of the third annual “Un Dia para Compartir” initiative that will help bring food to the tables of over 600 underprivileged Latino families from six local community organizations throughout the Windy City.

This year’s selected agencies included Enlace, Erie Neighborhood House, Gads Hill Center, Healthcare Alternative Services, Humboldt Park Social Services and Latinos Progresando. In addition, 100 underprivileged families from various programs at Erie Neighborhood House participated in a private event last week to pick up the meals and share an evening of holiday spirit with members of other organizations.

“Erie House has seen a dramatic increase in families who come to our food pantry for extra help,” said Ricardo Estrada, executive director of Erie Neighborhood House. “Jewel-Osco's generous donation will help our neediest families celebrate a happy Thanksgiving.”

Given the increase in the demand for food donations across the different communities in Chicago and suburban areas, Jewel-Osco, which operates 183 stores in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana, is spearheading various initiatives throughout the holiday season to generate awareness of hunger relief, as well as to lessen the burden on neighborhood food pantries and community based organizations that have seen competition for funds escalate due to the economic crisis.