
Midwest grocer Fareway presented a $275,173.70 check Monday, Jan. 27, to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program in support of the 2024 Toys for Tots campaign.
Monetary and toy donations for Toys for Tots, which provides toys to children during the holiday season, were accepted at all Fareway store locations – including stores in the Quad Cities – from Friday, Nov. 24, through Tuesday, Dec. 24.
“Each year our customers continue to go above and beyond to make the annual Toys for Tots campaign a success,” Fareway Senior Vice President of Marketing and Advertising Jeff Stearns said in a news release. “We are so appreciative of their generosity and the partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps, over 30 years of making seasons bright for thousands of children.”
In 2024, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program achieved a remarkable milestone by distributing over 30 million toys, books, and other gifts to nearly 13 million children in need throughout the United States.
“On behalf of Toys for Tots, I extend our deepest gratitude to Fareway for their incredible support in 2024,” said Lt. Gen Jim Laster, USMC (Retired), president and CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Their generous donation from their Toys for Tots Round-up campaign, along with the number of toys collected at all Fareway store locations, brought joy and hope to countless children in need this past holiday season.”
“Fareway’s commitment to our mission exemplifies the true spirit of giving and community. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many children,” he added.
The Boone, Iowa-based Fareway also congratulated the top ten Fareway stores – all in Iowa – for raising the most in their Toys for Tots Round-up campaigns: Norwalk, $5,452.40; Ankeny (north location), $4,549.18; Council Bluffs, $4,511.10; Marshalltown, $4,137.78; Ames (north location), $4,091.15; Clear Lake, $3,940.27; West Des Moines (Grand Ave.), $3,832.10; Polk City, $3,731.58; Winterset, $3,665.93; and Dubuque, $3,432.58.