Meet Legends of the Industry Scholarship Recipient Chad Villanueva

Posted on May 29, 2020September 28, 2020 by Brianne Page

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Congratulations to the 2019-20 CGA Educational Foundation College Scholarship recipients. This year, 384 scholarships totaling $728,200 were awarded to deserving students attending college this fall.

In honor of the CGAEF’s past and future Hall of Achievement Inductees, the CGA Educational Foundation established the Legends of the Industry Scholarship as part of the Scholarship Endowment. This scholarship is an annual $10,000 scholarship awarded to one applicant who is pursuing a career in the grocery and/or grocery-related manufacturing industries.

Foundation to induct industry icons Spring 2020

Posted on May 29, 2020June 22, 2021 by digitalgear

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Hall Of Achievement Dinner

POSTPONED: INDUSTRY TO HONOR GROCERY EXECUTIVES AT FOUNDATION’S ANNUAL AWARDS EVENT

Two grocery industry executives with deep roots in both the California Grocers Association and the CGA Educational Foundation will be inducted into the Foundation’s prestigious Hall of Achievement on a date to be determined in Long Beach, Calif.

Hundreds of industry peers, friends and family are expected to attend the gala event to honor Kendra Doyel, Vice President of Merchandising, Ralphs Grocery Company, and Mickie Sharp-Villanueva, Strategic Sales Services, the Performance Group.

The Hall of Achievement recognizes grocery leaders for their tremendous contributions to not only the industry, but their local communities as well. Proceeds from the event help fund the Foundation’s college scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs.

“We are honored to induct two very worthy Hall of Achievement recipients,” said CGA/CGAEF President Ron Fong. “Their contributions to our industry and their communities is well-documented.”

Both award recipients have long histories of involvement with the Educational Foundation, the Association and other allied organizations.

HALL OF ACHIEVEMENT REGISTRATION

SEE THE 2019 GALA IN PICTURES

HALL OF ACHIEVEMENT INDUCTEES

Hall of Achievement Awards

The CGA Educational Foundation Hall of Achievement is a prestigious award program developed to honor those who have contributed substantially to the benefit and advancement of the California food industry.
The Hall of Achievement provides the food industry with the opportunity to recognize the achievements of those individuals who, through their foresight and dedication, have enhanced California’s food-distribution industry. They are people who have made a difference.

Nominees must meet the following requirements:

Enhance the quality of California’s food industry.
Demonstrate a commitment to charitable activities and public service programs that enhance the quality of life.
Participate in major fund-raising campaigns and community charitable events.
Involve themselves in humanitarian and cultural causes and enhance community education, and
Volunteer for charitable and civic programs.

Award recipients are recognized at the annual Hall of Achievement Awards dinner held each year. The dinner serves as the Foundation’s primary fundraiser that supports the Tuition Reimbursement, College Scholarship and Industry Education Programs.

The CGA Educational Foundation is a 501©(3), nonprofit tax-exempt organization which supports and provides educational opportunities for the food-distribution industry. A portion of each ticket purchase is deductable as a charitable contribution. All Tribute Journal advertisements and event sponsorships are tax deductible contributions.

Industry Mourns Passing of Lou Amen

Posted on May 29, 2020June 3, 2020 by digitalgear

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It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Louis A. Amen the founder of Super A Foods, Inc. Lou was known and loved by many and was a legend in the grocery industry. He served as CGA Chair in 1986 and was a strong supporter of both the Association and its Educational Foundation.

He passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at his home in Corona del Mar. He is survived by his wife Dorie, 7 children, 24 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.

Due to the Covid 19 regulations Lou’s memorial service will be limited to 10 close family members. The Amen family regrets to announce that the memorial service will be private.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests making memorial contributions to the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation. Reference: Lou Amen.

Thank you for the outpouring of love during this difficult time.

You can send or drop off contributions to:
Super A Foods, Inc.
c/o Renee Amen
7200 Dominion Circle
Commerce, CA 90040

California Grocers Association Educational Foundation
c/o Lou Amen – Super A Foods
1005 12th Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA 95814
To donate: click here, or contact Brianne Page, CGAEF, at (916) 448-3545.

CGAEF Inaugural Legends of Industry Scholarship Recipient Announced

Posted on June 2, 2018June 3, 2020 by Brianne Page

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An American Success Story – only just under way

Kimberly Lee says she didn’t find the grocery industry. “It found me.”

Lee was a frequent shopper at her local Food4Less, about 10 minutes from her home, throughout her college years. It was on a typical shopping trip that she saw a sign announcing a hiring event at the Rialto, Calif. location. Days later, she attended, turned in an application and was interviewed on the spot.

“They were really open and seemed to really like me,” she recalls. “They talked about all the opportunities I could have. I felt like this is a company I could move up in.”

Lee was hired as customer first clerk, then promoted to cashier and has recently been cleared to work as a District Trainer. She’ll train both customer service clerks and cashiers throughout her district after just two years with the company.

Lee has been awarded the first-ever $10,000 “Legends of the Industry Scholarship” from the CGA Educational Foundation. She intends to use the award to complete an master’s degree in counseling while continuing to pursue opportunities at Food4Less.

Her story is that of hard work, discipline and determination – so often heard about in America, most especially in California.

“I come from an immigrant family,” she shard in a very poignant application statement. “I first arrived in the United States when I was eight years old, not knowing one word of English or anyone outside my immediate family. I had a difficult time adjusting to the different customs and language while attending school.”

She was salutatorian of her high school class and attended Cal Poly Pomona. Lee says receiving Cal Poly’s prestigious Kellogg Honors College’s scholarship gave her the freedom to focus on her studies.

“I could stop worrying about my tuition and focus on obtaining a quality education,” she says. “From that moment, I made it my mission to work even harder in my classes and participate in extracurricular activities that helped develop my life philosophies in education, hard work, and helping others.”

She is living that mission daily. When she’s not working, Lee is an avid reader, writer and volunteer at the Kids Campus Youth Center, helping youth from preschool-age to 18 with homework and other support.

“I really enjoy my volunteer work,” she says. Now married for three years, she adds that starting a family is in her plans but wants to finish school first.

Lee says she also learns a lot from her Food4Less teammates and recalls one colleague, then second-in-command at the Rialto store, being encouraging and highly supportive of her educational pursuits.

“Lili Lara was really helpful,” she says. “She’s the one who told me about the retail management certificate. I want to be like her – that person who encourages people to stay at Food4Less and pursue opportunities.”

Where will she be in, say, five years? “I will have completed my master’s in counseling and hopefully working in human resources, probably still doing a lot of training,” she shares.

Lee hopes CGAEF will continue doing great work on behalf of industry employees.

“I am very, very thankful for the support from the Educational Foundation because this scholarship will allow me to continue my education,” she says. “I hope they continue to help other retail grocery store students because completing your education is not something you can do right off-the-bat – you need help when you’re in school. It makes you feel valued.”

Foundation Announces Scholarship Endowment

Posted on April 11, 2017June 2, 2020 by digitalgear

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SACRAMENTO, CA (April 11, 2017) – The CGA Educational Foundation today announced the creation of the “CGAEF Scholarship Endowment” in honor of its 25th anniversary of supporting the grocery industry with financial assistance and educational opportunities.

Through initial investments of $335,000, scholarships will be created and awarded to CGA-member company employees.

The newly-created endowment will support student success and opportunity by creating a permanent funding source for college scholarships – offering relief to the rising tuition costs that keep many students from completing their education.
The endowment will build on donations already received.

“For employees in the grocery industry, the possibility of a better life begins with higher education,” says CGAEF President Ronald Fong. “Yet each year more students are struggling to make ends meet and stay in school.”
Although many California colleges have managed to keep enrollment fees low, affordability has become a growing barrier to student success, according to CGAEF Executive Director Shiloh London.

“This philanthropic investment has the ability to promote academic achievement and make it possible for college students to continue their academic dreams,” she adds.

Scholarships will be applied towards tuition for CGA-member company employees that meet a list of CGAEF Board of Trustees criteria.

“An endowment fund is a permanent, self-sustaining source of funds,” Fong says. “Assets are invested, and every year the fund’s earnings are used to create scholarships, while the gifted principle remains intact and secure. An endowment fund can grow and provide support for scholarships forever.”

The CGA Educational Foundation is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017. In the quarter century since its inception, the Foundation has created opportunities for thousands of people in the grocery industry through its highly respected college scholarship, tuition reimbursement and industry education programs.

“California is a place of opportunity – and no industry embodies this promise more than the grocery industry,” London says.