Fresh Thyme kicks up its donations toward food insecurity

Fresh Thyme is on a donation spree. The grocer recently donated 500,000 meals to communities in St. Louis and is now donating more than $1 million across 32 food banks throughout the midwest.

The Downers Grove, Ill.-based retailer’s philanthropic duties come on the heels of its rebranding, a fresher look but also a way to highlight and connect with the diverse, unique shoppers of the chain of 73 stores in 11 states, per the company.

Since July, Fresh Thyme has also been hosting a Round Up at the Register event, enabling shoppers to donate to food banks during their shopping trips. The money from the program is being paired with Fresh Thyme’s large gift to food banks. The hunger relief program aims to provide food assistance to those in need.

"This past year has challenged our communities in unimaginable ways," said Fresh Thyme Market President Gerald Melville, "and this new normal has spotlighted the fact that we are all just a step away from needing food assistance."

He continued: "I am incredibly proud of our team members and customers for their part in our Round Up program, this donation is truly a culmination of all of our efforts. Together we can make a difference in the fight against hunger."

Fresh Thyme is a longtime partner of Feeding America and their affiliated food relief members. In September, Fresh Thyme announced a donation of $125,000 to the St. Louis Area Foodbank School-Based Market Program, a program with the goal of alleviating child hunger through the provision of food to children and their families in their local schools. In addition, in April, Fresh Thyme donated $36,000 to the Northern Illinois Food Bank, the local food bank of Fresh Thyme's headquarters.