While the Vons on Orange Avenue has established itself as the only of its chain located on the island, it has also recently made waves as the No. 1 seller of hunger bags in all of Southern California.
In partnership with the San Diego Food Bank, Vons launched the hunger bags project on Nov. 29 to respond to the growing demand from the roughly 500 local organizations the food bank aids.
From the start of the project on Nov. 29 to the end on Jan. 2, cashiers at every checkout line asked customers if they wanted to donate a $5 hunger bag to the San Diego Food Bank.
These bags included goods such as canned meats and vegetables, pasta, peanut butter and more.
Vons exceeded goal of 6,000 bags
The Coronado Vons initially set out with the goal of selling 6,000 bags by the end of the initiative. This was considered a stretch goal that would safely secure them a spot above the other 25 stores in the district.
“When we first put it out, I thought ‘jeez that’s a lot.’ That’s a lot of bags for such a small store and small community,” said Coronado Vons Cashier Tara Collins. “But, not only did we meet that, we exceeded it.”
The Coronado location was able to sell 7,029 bags, sailing over their goal of placing first in the district and landing as winners of the SoCal division.
“Probably halfway through it, we were like, ‘Hey you know, if we continue this, we are going to blow our goal out of the water maybe a week and a half early,’” said Coronado Vons Manager Scott Thompson. “There were multiple customers that gave every time they came in for five weeks. We had a few customers that gave $150 to 200 dollars. One guy came in and was like, ‘I’ll take 50 bags.’”
Eager response from community
As a manager of the location for over three years, the eager response from the Coronado community came as no surprise to Thompson.
“I’ve worked in other stores, and I’ve really only worked in one other community in San Diego that comes anywhere close to this one,” said Thompson. “It just means a lot to the employees here, and to me personally, that this store means that much to them that, just because we ask to help a needy cause, just like the San Diego Food Bank, they won’t hesitate to deliver the goods.”
The Orange Avenue location’s 7,029 hunger bag record was loosely trailed behind by a Glendale Vons that was able to sell 6,324 bags.
