Smart & Final, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation surprised customers by picking up their grocery tabs on Thursday morning.

The surprise came during Smart & Final’s exclusive hour for vulnerable shoppers (seniors, expectant mothers, people with disabilities), health care workers and first responders at their Watts location at 9850 S. Laurel St. in Los Angeles.

Smart & Final, the official grocery partner of the Dodgers, also surprised customers with gift cards to help them get through these challenging times.

“It’s more important than ever that we come together as a community to support and bring a bit of joy to one another,” said Deb Bell-Versluis, Director, Corporate Communications and Charitable Foundation, Smart & Final. “We were thrilled to partner with the Dodgers to surprise Smart & Final shoppers in Jordan Downs with free groceries. We value our relationship with this neighborhood and are excited to give back to the communities in which we live and serve.”

The Dodgers, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, and iHeartMedia Los Angeles launched a joint relief effort earlier this month, working with team partners to provide more than 105,000 meals to the most vulnerable Angelenos and more than $100,000 worth of food, water, hygiene necessities, gift cards and Dodger products to community organizations. The team has also provided grants to the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, My Friend’s Place and the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles with additional grants to be provided to organizations that address homelessness, basic needs and food insecurity. Fans can learn more and those that are able to donate can join the Dodgers’ relief efforts by visiting Dodgers.com/Relief.

Smart & Final has been a key partner in the Dodgers’ relief efforts, donating 10,000 bottles of water, 500 bags of apples and 500 bags of oranges. Thus far, these efforts have supported Los Angeles Unified School District’s Grab & Go Food Centers, LA Dream Center, newly converted homeless shelters in partnership with City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, newly established childcare centers at the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks providing childcare for essential workers, and healthcare workers at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and affiliated UCLA Health medical facilities. In addition to the Smart & Final Charitable Foundation, Dodger partners joining critical relief efforts include ARCO, California Pizza Kitchen, Dasani, Dunkin’ Brands of Southern California, Farmer John, Frito-Lay, Gatorade, Jack in the Box, Levy, Mastercard, Melissa’s Produce, Postmates, Smart & Final Charitable Foundation and Southern California McDonald’s.

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About the Dodgers:

The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, with six World Series championships and 23 National League pennants since its beginnings in Brooklyn in 1890, is committed to a tradition of pride and excellence.  The Dodgers are dedicated to supporting a culture of winning baseball, providing a first-class, fan-friendly experience at Dodger Stadium, and building a strong partnership with the community. With the highest cumulative fan attendance in Major League Baseball history, and a record of breaking barriers, the Dodgers are one of the most cherished sports franchises in the world.

Visit the Dodgers online at www.dodgers.com, follow them on Twitter @Dodgers and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Dodgers.

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About the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation:

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation is bigger than baseball with ambitions to be the city’s premier charity. We want to impact Los Angeles’ most pressing problems: improving access to education, health care, affordable housing, youth programs and social justice. Since 1995, we have invested more than $30 million in programs and grants to nonprofits, and fundraising has increased by 1,000% since 2012. That growth has enabled us to do more.

Visit LADF online at www.dodgers.com/ladf, follow them on Twitter, @DodgersFdn, Instagram, @dodgersfoundation and like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LosAngelesDodgersFoundation.

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About Smart & Final

Smart & Final is the smaller, faster grocery warehouse store, headquartered near Los Angeles in Commerce, California. Smart & Final’s 255 store locations offer quality products in a variety of sizes, saving customers time and money without a membership fee. Its larger format stores, Smart & Final Extra!, combine the warehouse store with traditional grocery offerings like farm-fresh produce and natural and organic options, to provide a one-stop shop for all. In business since 1871, Smart & Final remains committed to giving back to its communities through employee volunteer opportunities and donations to local nonprofits.

Visit Smart & Final’s website at www.smartandfinal.com.

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(Article courtesy of LA Dodgers)

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