Standing in the rear of a near vacant Hemet grocery store Wednesday, Oct. 26, Jim Lineberger loaded packages of eggs into a crate.
The executive director of the Hemet Community Pantry was collecting the final bit of food being donated to the charity from a closed Sprouts Farmers Market.
Sprouts opened a new location in the city earlier in the day. While the business moved, the food didn’t. Instead, it was donated to a number of charities that feed the hungry, including the Hemet-based Community Pantry.
Lineberger showed up with an army of volunteers and a couple of trucks. He left with about five pallets of food, mostly produce and dairy.
“We’re usually given food, but not as healthy food,” Lineberger said.
Founded in 1965, the pantry serves more than 900 families per month. It addition to Sprouts, it gets regular donations from businesses such as Panera Bread, Target, Walmart Neighborhood Market and Agri-Empire. The businesses donate food that is edible, but no longer can be sold.
Wednesday’s haul adds to the typical donation of cereal, top ramen and boxes of mac and cheese.
Lineberger, who just passed his fifth anniversary as director, said the type of client has changed over the years.
“We’re seeing more and more seniors and we’re feeding more working poor,” he said.
Among the volunteers who helped load donated items Wednesday were some homeless men who came from Weston Park to assist.
Another volunteer was Hemet Teachers Association President Billy Valenzuela.
“When I saw what part of the day it was being done, I didn’t think a lot of people could volunteer,” Valenzuela said as he moved jugs of milk from a refrigerator into carrying cases around 1 p.m. “I figured I can so I will.”
It’s unknown as to what will happen to the now vacant building at State Street and Stetson Avenue. Sprouts and forerunners Boney’s and Henry’s were there for almost two decades. The market was a Stater Bros. before that.
The new store, at 2207 W. Florida Ave, is in a complex created from the shell of a former Walmart store. The new Sprouts opened Wednesday and will continue to participate in the company’s local Food Rescue Program, which donates food to food banks.
In 2015, Sprouts donated approximately 14 million pounds of product to those in need, which is equivalent to 12 million meals, according to a news release.
Contact the writer: 951-368-9086 or cshultz@scng.com