to view the 30th Anniversary Magazine - National Grocers Association

GrocersCareIn 1983, a videotaped message fromPresident Ronald Reagan welcomed attendeesNGA’s first convention. Duringthat message, the president discussed theimportant impact grocers made in theircommunities and the economy and thankedthe attendees for their efforts. Following Reagan’saddress, NGA launched the Grocers Careprogram that tied in with Reagan’s NationalCare and Share Day which was established topromote acts of charitable volunteerism andcommunity involvement. The Grocers CareProgram provides NGA and its members anopportunity to share and communicate the rolethat the independent retail sector plays to Congress,the White House, the grocery industryand the customers they serve.During the past 30 years, NGA has recognizedthe important role independent grocershave in not only their local communities but inthe national economy and private sector initiatives.Community grocers across the nationdemonstrate and build on the cornerstone ofthis great country – the entrepreneurial spiritGrocers Care seeksto recognize andpromote the involvementof the food industryin community andcivic programs.– through environmental initiatives, politicalinvolvement, and charitable support. Today,Grocers Care seeks to recognize and promotethe involvement of the food industry in communityand civic programs.Noteworthy contributions by NGA membersinclude:• Charitable support for national programssuch as Grocers Fight Cancer,the American Heart Association, theAmerican Diabetes Alert, and theNational Red Cross.• Involvement in local voter registrationcampaigns and participation inlocal, state, and national councils suchas the White House Conference onSmall Business.30TH ANNIVERSARY THE COMMEMORATIVE ISSUE | 27