In defense of Safeway’s charity in our community

Barbara Rhodes
Published: November 12, 2008

I was disappointed, to say the least, when I read James Clements’ column Oct. 20, “Fill up the Food Closet,” which attacked Safeway.

I am one of the volunteers who picks up food items from Safeway several times a week on a regular basis. These items go toward feeding our senior citizens in five counties five days a week.

Last December I was graciously given permission to put a box in front of the Culpeper Safeway store to collect food items for the Food Closet at St. Stephen’s. I made the same request to Food Lion, Aldi’s and Wal-Mart and was turned down.

During the holidays there is seldom a day without a collection box at Safeway to benefit some organizations. Safeway is looking out for its neighbors.

I also know that Safeway supports the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, Easter Seals and prostate cancer awareness, just to mention a few charities. It also supported breast cancer awareness in October.

There is even a hot dog stand outside on weekends, with all of the proceeds going to benefit breast cancer awareness. As you shopped you would see many of the staff wearing shirts or other items showing their support for that cause. I guess you could call Safeway an unsung hero.

Just because Safeway does not donate items to the Food Closet does not mean it is not supportive of the community and charities.

I shop at Safeway several times a week, and I look forward to the friendly folks who are always willing to lend a helping hand and even tell a joke or two. Thank you, Safeway team. As an advocate for the needy and less fortunate folks of Culpeper, I appreciate you as do many, many others.

Barbara Rhodes
Culpeper