The Save Mart Companies and Keurig Dr Pepper have introduced their “Friends Feeding Friends” holiday food drive in California and Nevada. The initiative includes a US$120,000 corporate match and runs through January 1, 2026, at all Save Mart, Lucky and FoodMaxx stores.
The campaign was announced on November 6, 2025, from Modesto, Calif. It arrives at “a critical moment as families face economic hardship and rising food insecurity,” the joint release states.
Shoppers can add a $5 or $10 “Pantry Pack” at checkout. For 60 days, both companies will each contribute $1,000 per day—turning customer donations into amplified impact.The $120,000 total includes matching funds up to $60,000 from Keurig Dr Pepper.
One standout feature: 100 % of the funds raised remain in the community where they are donated (for example, Modesto families supported by Modesto stores, Reno by Reno stores).
The first distribution of donations will occur the week of December 15, ahead of the holidays, with a second round scheduled in early 2026.
A spokesperson from the Central California Food Bank noted that the campaign “means we can say yes more often” when families’ benefits or paychecks fall short.
Why It Matters
For the supermarket sector, this partnership is a notable example of how grocery chains and suppliers are co-operating in high-visibility, in-store charitable campaigns. It highlights how retailers can use checkout packaging add-ons (in this case Pantry Packs) to engage shoppers, impact community brand perception and strengthen local ties—while suppliers like Keurig Dr Pepper are positioning themselves as socially engaged B2B partners.
Note: All details verified from the original press release by The Save Mart Companies (via PR Newswire) and subsequent industry coverage by The Shelby Report.
