Ralphs Grocery raises funds to support Southern California children's hospitals

Ralphs Grocery Company is pleased to announce that it is raising funds to support children's hospitals in Southern California.

Ralphs customers and associates can support their local children's hospital through the supermarket chain's nonprofit arm, The Ralphs Fund, by donating their spare change in collection canisters located at the checkstands in their neighborhood Ralphs supermarket. The Children's Hospital fundraising campaign will run through March 24, 2015.

Southern California children's hospitals that will benefit from the charitable fundraising drive include:

• Children's Hospital of Orange County
• Children's Hospital Los Angeles
• Cottage Children's Hospital (Santa Barbara)
• Loma Linda University Children's Hospital
• Mattel Children's Hospital (UCLA)
• Miller's Children's Hospital (Long Beach)
• Rady Children's Hospital (San Diego)

"Ralphs believes strongly in giving back to the communities our stores serve," said Donna Giordano, Ralphs president. "We're pleased to extend our commitment to community service to our local children's hospitals. We cannot think of a better way to invest in our communities than by giving families and children hope through our support of the outstanding work these hospitals are doing to provide world-class medical care for children."

Since 2005, Ralphs, its associates and customers have given more than $1.8 million to children's hospitals in Southern California. This year, Ralphs has set a goal of raising $200,000 for children's hospitals.

"Our ability to support the great work being done by our Southern California children's hospitals is a direct result of the dedication of our team members and the generosity of our customers," Giordano said. "Ralphs is proud to help children and families have a healthy future."