NAPA, Calif. — The Save Mart Companies' philanthropic arm raised more than $420,000 at its 25th Annual Golf Fundraiser last Friday, topping last year's $379,000 total and marking a record for the event.
The tournament, held at Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa with 73 foursomes, is the largest annual fundraiser for the CARES Foundation, the nonprofit established by the Modesto-based grocery chain in 2000. Over its history, the Foundation has directed more than $6.3 million to regional organizations focused on food access, education, the arts, and essential community resources across California and Western Nevada.
"The golf tournament has grown into a powerful tradition of giving back," said Joan Dobias-Davis, Foundation Chairperson and Chief Human Resources Officer at Save Mart. "Together with our partners, we have spent more than 20 years supporting organizations that address local needs and create stronger, healthier communities."
Alongside the fundraiser announcement, the Foundation opened applications for its Feeding Forward grant program, which targets nonprofits engaged in retail food recovery. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 will fund technology and hardware investments to help organizations improve operational efficiency, data reporting, and edible food recovery capacity. Applications are open through August 10, 2026.
Eligible applicants must operate within the service areas of Save Mart, Lucky, or FoodMaxx stores — the three banners under which Save Mart operates more than 190 locations across California and Nevada.
The CARES Foundation's board meets quarterly to award grants to IRS-certified 501(c)(3) organizations. Information on the Feeding Forward program is available at TheSaveMartCompanies.com/community.
