Fresh & Easy kicks off annual Shop for Schools program

FRESNO, Calif. A regional supermarket chain's third annual fundraising program, designed to benefit schools across three states, commenced at a Fresno, Calif., store opening on Thursday.

Fresh & Easy's Shop for Schools program allows schools in California, Arizona and Nevada to sign up to receive donations from the supermarket chain. How it works: Participating schools will receive a $1 cash donation for every $20 receipt collected from any Fresh & Easy store through Dec. 31. At the end of the program, Fresh & Easy will award the top fundraising school in each state with a $5,000 bonus.

In addition to collecting receipts, registered schools can participate in Shopping Nights, which provide an opportunity to raise even more money. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on each school's designated shopping night, 5% of the total sales at the local Fresh & Easy store are donated to the school.

"We're excited that Shop for Schools has played such an important role over the past two school years in bringing needed funds to neighborhood classrooms," said Tim Mason, Fresh & Easy CEO. "We are happy to be able to help, and we hope schools are even more successful through this year's program."