Save A Lot Launches Bags for a Brighter Holiday

The 11th annual campaign lets shoppers buy $5 grocery bags to support two Rockford nonprofits.

Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Philanthropy

Stacked plain kraft grocery bags filled with canned goods and produce rest on a loading dock edge, with a blurred brick wall behind them. — Save A Lot launched its 11th annual Bags for a Brighter Holiday campaign in west Rockford on Thursday, selling $5 grocery bags to benefit two local nonprofits. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you think food insecurity in your area is getting better or worse?

Save A Lot kicked off its Bags for a Brighter Holiday campaign on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at its location at 1701 W. State St. in west Rockford. Customers can buy preassembled grocery bags for $5, and the store presented a $500 check to be split between the Rock River Valley Food Pantry and the Boys & Girls Club of Rockford - Stenstrom Unit.

Why it matters

Demand for food assistance in the Rock River Valley has risen sharply, with the food pantry serving 235% more people over the past five years. As grocery prices climb with inflation, more local families are relying on pantries and community donations to get by.

Customers can buy a preassembled grocery bag for $5 to benefit local charities, and the Rock River Valley Food Pantry has served 3% more people this fiscal year than at the same point last year. The final amount raised by this year's campaign has not yet been announced.

The players

Save A Lot

Save A Lot is a discount grocery chain that runs community food drives and charitable campaigns across its stores.

Rock River Valley Food Pantry

The Rock River Valley Food Pantry is a local nonprofit that distributes groceries to families facing food insecurity in the Rockford area.

Boys & Girls Club of Rockford - Stenstrom Unit

The Boys & Girls Club of Rockford - Stenstrom Unit is a youth development center in Rockford that provides after-school programs and meals to local children.

The details

The campaign was kicked off with 13th Ward Alderman Tamir Bell and representatives of the two nonprofits, and the alderman's office is providing $250 toward the effort. Last year, Save A Lot and its customers donated more than 100,000 bags of food nationwide, valued at approximately $549,000.

Last year: Save A Lot and its customers donated more than 100,000 bags of food nationwide during the prior holiday season.
Thursday, November 12, 2026: Save A Lot kicked off the 11th annual Bags for a Brighter Holiday campaign in west Rockford.

Market Landscape

Save A Lot's annual bag campaign extends a model that drove more than 100,000 bags of food nationwide during the prior holiday season, when a government shutdown paused SNAP benefits. The Rockford effort suggests the retailer is leaning on in-store charitable giving as a competitive way to build community ties in the discount grocery segment.

Shoppers who want to help can buy a $5 preassembled grocery bag at the 1701 W. State St. store, with the proceeds supporting local food assistance. Families who rely on the Rock River Valley Food Pantry may notice continued demand for its services as the pantry serves more people this fiscal year.

The takeaway

Rising grocery prices are pushing more households toward food pantries, so small purchases like a $5 holiday bag can make a practical difference for local families. Readers who want to help can check with area pantries about what they currently need.