Macey’s, AFS Leaders Partner with First Lady Abby Cox to host Service Project  

Seventeen newly arrived refugee families shop with legislative spouses at three Macey’s locations 

As part of her #ShowUpforService 1,000,000 acts of service initiative, Utah First Lady Abby Cox invited Associated Food Stores’ leaders and spouses/partners of members of the Utah Legislature to join her for a service project called “Reaching Across the Aisle.” Participants assisted recently arrived Afghan refugee families as they learn to navigate grocery shopping in their new communities. 

The event took place at three locations simultaneously (Macey’s at Parleys Way, Macey’s at Draper Parkway and Macey’s in Provo), with the First Lady and Gov. Cox joining Associated Food Stores’ CEO Bob Obray at the Parley’s Way location. David Rice represented the company at the Draper location and Darin Peirce led the group at the Provo location. 

Each refugee family filled carts of groceries with items of their choice valued at $450 each, donated by Associated Retail Operations (ARO) as part of their commitment to serving communities.

Local media from all major television stations came to Macey’s for the event. Chris Otteson, ARO support staff and the store teams made sure the stores were looking their very best for the big day. Marketing/communications team members helped manage media interviews and requests. All of the hard work paid off as Macey’s helped many new Utah families and received widespread media attention for their efforts.