Eighty-seven food banks will receive a boost in the coming weeks as BI-LO works with members of the community to provide much-needed pet food as part of the company’s PAWS™ Premium promotion. The donation event, which runs Sept. 1–28, is in its second year and has a goal to double the more than 60 tons of pet food donated last year.

This effort is particularly critical in light of the current economic situation as many food banks face the dual challenge of diminished contributions and an increased number of individuals in need of food not only for themselves, but for their pets as well. BI-LO‘s goal is to help reduce the number of animals being abandoned by their owners or sent to shelters by assisting the families already receiving support from the food banks.

Customers can participate in the promotion while also saving money themselves. All shoppers need to do is purchase a pre-pack- aged bag of BI-LO’s store-branded pet food, PAWS Premium, for $5 that will then be donated to food banks throughout BI-LO’s operating market. The pre-packed bags will be available for purchase at all BI-LO locations and can be placed in specially marked “Feed The Love” donations bins at the entrance of the store. Customers who participate will receive an additional five cents in fuelperks!® rewards.