The Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) has named Food City a 2022 Virginia Champion of Disability Employer, in recognition of company efforts to hire candidates with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

“We would like to thank Food City for their continued partnership. We greatly appreciate the support of their store managers, human relations coordinators and other team members throughout Southwest Virginia,” said Matthew Herron, job placement counselor for the DARS field offices in Christiansburg and Wytheville, Virginia.

Food City and DARS have built a solid partnership that dates back over 20 years. In the past five years alone, Food City has hired over 70 DARS clients and provided countless trial work experiences for youth and adults.

Food City’s chief executive officer, Steven C. Smith, said, “We’re proud to partner with DARS to hire great associates who may not have applied on their own or who may need a little extra help in starting their career. We would like to thank the DARS team for the great work they do supporting individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment.”

  • Race Against Hunger will run Nov. 2-29 at Food City stores. Food City customers are invited to make a $1, $3 or $5 contribution as they check out or round up their order total to the next dollar amount. Customers who contribute using their ValuCard will be electronically entered to win their choice of a season race package at Bristol Motor Speedway or a $2,500 contribution made to the charity of their choice. Last year’s program raised over $597,700 and we hope to raise even more this year to benefit our friends and neighbors in need.
  • Friends & Pets in Need: This holiday food drive will run through Dec. 31. Specially marked bags containing non-perishable food items, as well as bags containing pet food products, will be available for purchase for $15 plus tax at all Food City locations. Customers may deposit the bags in collection bins located at the front of the store. Again, 100% of the products collected will benefit local hunger relief organizations and animal shelters throughout the region.
  • Flu Shots are now available at your local Food City Pharmacy with no appointment needed and 300 bonus fuel bucks. Flu shots at Food City Pharmacy are affordable and zero copay with most insurance. For every flu shot given, Food City will make a donation to the Pat Summitt Foundation.
  • Save a trip and get your other vaccines at the same time. Your local Food City Pharmacy offers a variety of vaccines to help protect you and your family, including Covid-19, pneumonia, shingles and more. Many of these immunizations can be taken at the same time as your flu shot. Just ask one of our knowledgeable pharmacists for more information.
  • Jobs, jobs, jobs: Food City continues to hire for full- or part-time jobs, entry-level or skilled positions. Interested candidates can apply online at FoodCity.com or visit any Food City store to complete an application.

Betsi James is special events manager for Food City’s Knoxville and Chattanooga divisions. Food City’s corporate office contributed to this report.