Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market announced it is giving more than $2.1 million to local schools through its fifth-annual Shop for Schools program. Over 2,700 schools in Arizona, California and Nevada participated in the fundraising program, which ran from September 12 to December 31. Fresh & Easy also announced today it will be bringing the program back again this fall to help even more schools raise much-needed money.

Since 2009, Fresh & Easy has given over $6.1 million to schools throughout Arizona, California and Nevada through the Shop for Schools program. Kindergarten through eighth grade schools located within a three-mile radius of any Fresh & Easy store can participate in the program. For every $20 spent at a Fresh & Easy store during the program, participating schools received a $1 donation by collecting receipts. Each school can use the money they raised for whatever they need most.

"In a time when school budgets continue to be cut, we’re happy to donate over $2.1 million to help give students the education they deserve," says John Burry, Fresh & Easy chief customer officer. "Shop for Schools is much more than just a fundraising program – it is a great way for us to directly help our neighbors, teachers and future leaders. We’re thrilled to be bringing the program back in the new school year."

In addition to collecting receipts, registered schools could also participate in Shopping Nights, fundraising events which provided an opportunity to raise even more money. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on each school's designated shopping night, 5% of a local Fresh & Easy store's total sales were donated to the school.