Trader Joe’s: Providing Weekly Groceries for Alcoholic Women in Recovery

by | Apr 17, 2020 | Community, First Step, Partners, Resources

For over six years, Trader Joe’s has been donating groceries to The Magdalen House every Sunday. This generous weekly food donation is part of their Neighborhood Shares program, and it’s a core pillar of their brand. Through this program, Trader Joe’s donates 100% of products that go unsold but are safe for consumption to local food banks and other non-profit food recovery partners, seven days a week. How incredible is that?! By avoiding unnecessary waste and supporting people in need, they are deepening their neighborhood connections.

Caring for Our Community of Alcoholic Women

In 2019, Trader Joe’s donated $96,000 worth of food to The Magdalen House, which provided enough to feed our clients each week, in addition to more than 3,000 alcoholic women and families in our community. Every week, their donation offers a substantial amount of food items that include meat, dairy, produce, bread, and more. It’s enough to feed the women in our Social Detox Program for most of the week, and women in our recovery community always have a chance to “shop” for free groceries from anything leftover afterward. 

For the past month, in the middle of a global crisis, they continue to step up and give back to communities across the nation. They make a conscious effort to continue to offer their Neighborhood Shares program for organizations like Maggie’s across the country. And, not only that, they have gone above and beyond by diligently checked in on us, calling to make sure that we have enough food each week.

During this uncertain time, Trader Joe’s has allowed us to continue providing fresh food and healthy meals to the women in our program. We’ve also organized pre-packed boxes of food for women in our recovery community to come to pick up while practicing social distancing. Partnerships like Trader Joe’s show the kind of impact corporate social responsibility can truly have on our communities. We are so grateful.

Gratitude For Weekly Groceries

As an alumna of the Social Detox Program, I can speak first hand about how helpful this donation is. When I first got out of Maggie’s, I was starting my life over from the ground up. I was looking for a job and barely had any money. Every weekend I looked forward to Trader Joe’s. My sober living roommates and I would come to the 11:00am Speaker Meeting and pick out food to bring home and cook together. It was the best part of my weekend and such a huge relief, knowing I would have good quality food to come home to.

“Trader Joe’s has been such a blessing; not only in my life but in the lives of others who struggle to rebuild a life torn by addiction. Their support of The Magdalen House has given so many an opportunity to focus on recovery rather than the worries of everyday necessities such as food costs. Quality at that. Truly a blessing!” -Peggy Woolf 

When I left The Magdalen House, I had very little money and was starting my life over. Trader Joe’s donations helped me make it through by giving me food to eat each week. I still rely on Trader Joe’s. I will be forever grateful for the generous donations Trader Joe’s provides all the women from Maggie’s and me as we begin a new and wonderful sober life.” -Lynne Miner

About Trader Joe’s Dallas – Lower Greenville

At Trader Joe’s Dallas – Lower Greenville (403), we see ourselves as your local neighborhood grocery store. Step inside and you’ll find unconventional and organic products in the Trader Joe’s label like Mandarin Orange Chicken, Cauliflower Gnocchi, and Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate, as well as everyday basics like organic milk, eggs, meat, and organic produce. We are a good source for great cheese, beer, and wine, and we offer a vibrant selection of fresh flowers daily. Most importantly, we offer all of our delicious, quality products at the very best prices. We’re happy to be part of your community, and proud to offer unique products at prices everyone can afford, every day.