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Smith's honored for philanthropy in Las Vegas

Posted at 3:03 PM, Nov 20, 2015
and last updated 2015-11-20 18:03:57-05

Smith’s Food & Drug Stores was selected as the Outstanding Corporation/Foundation by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Las Vegas Chapter for the 24th Annual Las Vegas Philanthropy Day Awards.
 
Every year, the Association of Fundraising Professionals Las Vegas chapter honors organizations and individuals who help their communities. National Philanthropy Day recognizes that philanthropic actions greatly impact society as a whole.
 
“Smith’s embodies all the qualities that make Las Vegas a true community. The work they have done has truly reflected how dedicated they are to growing and making this city a better place to live,” said Jon Guy, president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Las Vegas Chapter.
 
In 2015 alone, Smith’s Food & Drug Stores has been busy. Recently, the grocer donated $400,000 to the St. Rose Dominican Health Foundation Charity Care Program, bringing the grocery chain’s total donations to more than $1 million to date. Smith’s also reached out to those displaced by the Haggen grocery stores closing locally, and held a Haggen-specific job hiring fair in an effort to get those people back to work.
In early spring when Smith’s opened six new area stores simultaneously, the retailer donated $25,000 to Communities in Schools so the children attending schools in the surrounding neighborhoods would benefit directly from the new stores. At the same time, Smith’s employees assembled 50 new bikes to donate to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada, an annual tradition. This year, though, Smith’s added in $1,000 in gift cards that the organization was able to give to its partner families to use for much-needed grocery items.
 
“We strive to develop relationships with our communities. We are extremely humbled and honored to receive this award,” Jay Cummins, president of Smith’s Food & Drug Stores.
 
Smith’s operates 37 locations and 14 fuel centers in Southern Nevada.