(ST. LOUIS, MO) (August 12, 2025) – Save A Lot, one of the largest discount grocery chains in the U.S., is proud to announce the Q1 winners of its Hometown Heroes program. Each winner received a $500 Save A Lot gift card in recognition of their outstanding service and impact in their communities.
The Hometown Heroes program, a nomination-based initiative, shines a spotlight on individuals and organizations making a difference in the neighborhoods Save A Lot serves. These heroes go above and beyond to support others and Save A Lot is honored to celebrate their efforts.
“At Save A Lot, we believe in celebrating the everyday heroes who lift up their communities through kindness, service, and dedication,” said Sarah Griffin, Director of Corporate Communications. “These Hometown Heroes inspire us, and we’re proud to recognize their efforts with a small token of appreciation. Their stories are a reminder of the good happening all around us.”
View photos of our winners, and the organizations they work with, below:
Doug Ducheney (pictured right) will be using his Save A Lot gift card to continue his work with Children Without a Gift Ministry, located in Bronston, KY, by buying food for families in need.
From left to right: Save A Lot Store Manager Matthew Rice, Jeannie Hodge.
Jeannie is a Client Advocate at Matthew 25:40, and works tirelessly to help the unhoused in Dyer County, TN. After leaving work, she often spends the night and volunteers at the Dyersburg Warming Shelter.
Left to Right in Photo: Jeff Ashford – District Manager, Shelby Smartt & Brenda Jantes – Kids in the Community Representatives, Tracey Payne – Store Manager. Kids of the Community, an organization located in McMinnville, TN, serves 200 kids annually to make sure they are fed and looked after. This group will use their $500 gift card to buy more food items to give back to the children they serve.
Samantha Lawhorn, an Assistant Manager at the Save A Lot in Columbia, KY, recently graduated high school and is already making a difference in her community. She works hard to make her store a safe and positive place for everyone that walks through the door.
Sonya Perry (pictured fourth from left) is the founder of People Helping People, an online support group in Bear Branch, Kentucky, where she collects donations and gives them to families in need.
About Save A Lot
Founded in 1977, Save A Lot is the largest independently owned and operated discount grocery store chain in the U.S., with approximately 700 stores in 30 states. True to its mission of being a hometown grocer, Save A Lot strives to provide unmatched quality and value to local families. Customers enjoy savings compared to traditional grocery stores on great tasting, high quality private label brands, national brand products, USDA-inspected meat, farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, and other non-food items. For more information visit www.SaveALot.com and follow Save A Lot on Facebook (facebook.com/savealot), on X (@savealot), and Instagram (@SaveALotFoodStores), or for more information on becoming a Save A Lot independent retail operator, visit ownasavealot.com