Save A Lot Launches Bags for a Brighter Holiday
The 11th annual food donation program lets shoppers buy $4.99 bags that support local charities through gift cards.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Do you think store-based holiday food drives meaningfully help hungry families in your community?
Save A Lot has launched its annual Bags for a Brighter Holiday program, letting customers purchase pre-packed food bags for $4.99 at checkout in more than 430 stores nationwide. Charities receive gift cards based on how many bags each store sells, and the bag purchase offer runs through Dec. 24.
Why it matters
The program is designed to fight hunger in local communities during the holiday season by routing donated food to charities and organizations addressing food insecurity. Because many Save A Lot locations are independently owned and operated, the campaign reaches neighborhoods through individual store participation.
Each pre-packed bag sells for $4.99, and participating stores earn charity gift cards of $250, $500 or $1,000 as they reach sales thresholds of 250, 500 or 1,000-plus bags. The company did not disclose a total bag target or aggregate donation goal for the campaign.
The players
Save A Lot
A St. Louis, Mo.-based grocery chain known for its private-label products and a large base of independently owned and operated stores.
The details
Customers buy pre-packed bags containing Save A Lot private-label products, including holiday meal staples, at checkout in participating stores. Donated food is distributed locally, and the gift cards go to charities linked to each store's sales.
Timeline
Nov. 9: Save A Lot announces the launch of the 11th annual Bags for a Brighter Holiday program.
Dec. 24: The bag purchase period ends.
Holiday Giving Model
Retailers across the country have long used checkout donation drives during the holiday season to turn routine grocery trips into food-bank support. Save A Lot's program follows that pattern while tying charity rewards to how many bags each individual store sells.
Shoppers can add a $4.99 pre-packed donation bag at checkout in participating stores through Dec. 24. Each purchase helps local charities earn gift cards tied to store sales milestones.
The takeaway
Buying a donation bag at checkout is a simple way to support local food insecurity efforts during the holidays. Checking whether your nearby Save A Lot participates before Dec. 24 is the easiest way to get involved.
Further reading
Explore more Philanthropy stories to see how companies and communities organize holiday food and giving campaigns.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mass Market Retailers.
Live Poll
Do you think store-based holiday food drives meaningfully help hungry families in your community?
