Raley’s offering new giving program; My Club to get it started

Attention, shoppers!

Raley’s grocery store in Oakhurst has a new program, “Give Back Days,” and local nonprofits are the beneficiaries. In this story, everybody wins.

When supporters of MY Club and its affiliates shop at Raley’s in Oakhurst on Tuesday, Nov. 24, armed with the appropriate flyer, a portion of sales will go to Mountain Area Youth Organization.

Mountain Area Youth Organization (MAYO) is the nonprofit overseeing MY Club, MY Club Teen Center and Mountain Area Youth Athletics. The flyer is available to print or copy electronically on their social media.

Taking place just two days before Thanksgiving, the event gives families a chance to support local youth while shopping for holiday meals and everyday essentials.

The company’s “Groceries for a Great Cause” initiative provides 20 percent of sales up to $5,000 to benefit a school or nonprofit cause when supporters shop at their local store on a specific date. The program runs Monday through Thursday and some restrictions apply.

“This is a new thing for Raley’s,” said Mark Conti, store team leader. “We just rolled it out recently for any clubs and nonprofits in our area. It’s a great program!”

When a group signs up for a Give Back Day, they receive a digital package with instructions for promotion, Conti explained.

The group shares flyers with a special bar code which, when scanned at checkout on the day of the event, will designate the funds for the local nonprofit. The flyers can be on paper or displayed on the phone. Groups may apply for the program once per calendar year.

Raley’s in Oakhurst is located in the Golden Oak Shopping Center at 40041 Highway 49.

For more information on how to include a local nonprofit or school club in the new Give Back Day program, stop into the store and talk to management — they’ll help the group get started.

Since 1935, family-owned Raley’s has grown to operate 119 stores in California and Nevada.

In addition to the Give Back Day, Raley’s in Oakhurst partners with the Central California Food Bank, Manna House and the North Fork Rancheria for food distribution programs.

About MY Club

For 25 years, MY Club has provided safe, supportive and inspiring spaces where young people can learn, grow and thrive.

MY Club currently operates both a club and teen center in Oakhurst, at Wasuma Elementary in Ahwahnee and at Coarsegold and Rivergold Elementary Schools in Coarsegold.

MY Club fundraising priorities this year include the Teen Center, athletics, STEM learning, leadership development and scholarships — with the goal of benefiting more than 500 youth in the mountain communities.

Community support helps MY Club provide

• Safe, supervised after-school programs for children and teens

• Low-cost sports leagues to encourage teamwork and physical activity

• STEM and enrichment opportunities to inspire curiosity and build skills

• Leadership development and academic support

• Summer jobs program to help youth gain work experience

• Educational and character-related scholarships

“Every child and teen deserves a safe place to belong, caring adults who believe in them and opportunities to discover what they can achieve,” said Jen Simmons, executive director of MAYO.

“Community support helps us provide those opportunities and we’re grateful to Raley’s Oakhurst and every shopper who joins us in investing in our young people.”

Maria Simmons is the nonprofit’s HR director and Paulina Holcomb is director of business operations. MAYO’s executive board includes Jenny Castillo (president), Ashley Griffin (president elect), Carrie Jenkins (treasurer) and Eric Gregoire (secretary).

As a nonprofit, MY Club relies on community partners and donors to sustain programs that build confidence, resilience and a sense of belonging. Organizers encourage supporters to share the Give Back Day flyer with friends, family and co-workers before Nov. 24 and remind shoppers to present it at checkout.

Those unable to participate in Give Back Day can support MY Club by visiting mountainyouthclubs.org for donation information or mailing a check to MY Club, P.O. Box 2757, Oakhurst, CA 93644.

Businesses and individuals interested in program tours or partnership opportunities are encouraged to connect with the organization.

Learn more at www.mountainyouthclubs.org