FoodMaxx Cares

Mission Statement

            FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart Supermarkets) has been interested and involved in the charitable causes since its founders, Nick Tocco and Mike Piccinini, opened the doors of their first store. FoodMaxx (dba.Save Mart) and its owners and operators have, in fact, always considered giving back to the communities in which they do business to be an important part of doing business. Over the years, FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) has done its best to seek out worthy causes to which to contribute while still running its stores but has found doing the former task well to be increasingly difficult over the years as its business has grown.

            Because FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) believes determining how to donate money effectively needs the same kind of attention as running a business, and because the press of its business makes it difficult for FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart's) regular staff to do so, FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) determined to establish FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES. FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) did so with the hope that the Board of Directors of FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES would bring the necessary focus to the business of giving and, by so doing, ensure the maximum benefit of the dollars available for donation.

In doing its job, the Board of Directors of FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES will be guided by these guidelines.

Giving Guidelines For FoodMaxx
(dba. Save Mart) Cares

FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose aim is in its name: Community, Arts, Recreation, Education, and Sports. FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES will seek out and select, and entertain proposals from, non-profit charitable groups and programs in the communities in which Save Mart Supermarkets does business, primarily the Great Central Valley of California. These programs and groups must have a record of results and, in some measurable way, contribute to the advancement of the Community, Arts, Recreation, Education, or Sports.

Community: In this area, FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES will look to programs and groups that foster civic involvement and improvement. Some examples are: neighborhood clean up campaigns; community beautification projects; cultural events that celebrate a community’s diversity and common heritage; providing food, clothing, and shelter to those in need.

Arts: Here, FoodMaxx (dba.Save Mart) CARES will support programs and groups that foster an appreciation for all forms of art or that encourage the creation and presentation of art in all of its variety. Examples of what FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES seeks are: exhibitions of local, regional, or national art; classes in the arts for disadvantaged youth; development of local arts initiatives; organizations that provide scholarships to outstanding young artists to further their education.

Recreation: The recreational focus of FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES is turned toward groups and programs that promote recreational opportunities other than sports. For example, support might be given to: dance classes; chess clubs; hunting and fishing associations; gardening clubs.

Education: FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES ranks education as its most important area of interest and takes a broad view of its meaning. Examples of groups and programs that could be benefited by FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES are: remedial reading programs; drug and alcohol awareness programs; after school programs; adult literacy classes; retraining programs; nutritional and other health classes; lecture series; mentoring; organizations that provide scholarships to outstanding scholars to further their education.

Sports: FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES views sports as an integral part of a healthy life. FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES will therefore look to support groups and programs such as: youth team sports; adult team sports; school team sports; organizations that provide scholarships to outstanding young athletes to further their education.

Regrettably, FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES does not support:

• Individuals, except to the extent groups or programs that it supports do so;
• Fundraisers, that is, FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES will give to a group or program directly but not to a fundraising activity that might support such a group or program;
• Any for profit groups, professional associations, or similar groups; and
• Any group or program that receives the majority of it’s funding from federal, state, or local government or related agencies.

            In evaluating the groups or programs to which it will contribute, FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES will review, among other things, the breadth of the audience served; the likely impact in the community; the importance of the need to be addressed in the community; and the community reputation, service history, and financial stability of the group or program seeking funds.

            No one of these or other factors will necessarily be weighted more heavily than another.  Instead each group or program will be measured against all groups and programs seeking funding at the time.  For example, a program serving a small segment of the community but that addresses a very important community need, and thus has the potential for a strong impact, would be favored over a group serving a wider clientele but that fills a less important community need.

            To apply for funding with FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES, please follow these steps:

1. Make certain your group or program and its request fit within FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES guidelines.
2. Submit your request on the letterhead of your organization. In your letter, explain in detail for what you seek funding and the amount you seek.
3. With your letter, provide evidence of your non-profit and 501 (c)(3) status. Additionally, give a brief history of your organization and how it has served the community. Include a list of your directors and officers with your submission and a copy of a current balance sheet, most recent income statement, and your current operating income statement. Finally, include a list of all current sources of funding and the percentage of your operating budget provided by each source.
4. Designate an individual in your organization as the liaison to FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES and state the address and daytime telephone number of that person.
5. Send your completed request to: FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES, Attention: Chief Financial Officer, Post Office Box 4278, Modesto, California 95352-4278.

            Please plan ahead and be patient.  Understand that FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES will probably receive many requests for funding.  FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES Board will review all requests as quickly as possible, but it will take some time.  And please recognize FoodMaxx (dba. Save Mart) CARES has a limited amount of funds for distribution, some of which are restricted as to where they may be donated, and, consequently, cannot fill all requests it receives as much as it might wish to do so.

Download The Application For Funding