DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. is launching a program that will contribute to providing vitamin A to more than 10 million children worldwide who face a deficiency of vital nutrients.
Walgreens said Tuesday that, along with participating vendors, it will make a $3.5 million donation to Vitamin Angels, a nonprofit group that helps at-risk populations in need gain access to life-saving micronutrients.
Customers also will be able to support the effort via purchases of selected health and wellness supplements at Walgreens drug stores. The drug chain said it will donate 25 cents of each qualifying purchase to Vitamin Angels, which will provide one child with a year’s supply of vitamin A.
About 350 items from more than 20 participating vendors are eligible for the program, including Finest Nutrition, a Walgreens brand, as well as selected products from Centrum, Renew Life, Nature’s Bounty, Swisse and Nature Made.
"Walgreens’ mission is to help people get, stay and live well, and we are proud to support the Vitamin Angels cause," Robert Tompkins, group vice president and general merchandise manager for health and wellness at Walgreens, said in a statement. "Through this program, our customers can make a difference in so many lives by simply continuing to fulfill their health and wellness needs at Walgreens."
The donation program is part of the Walgreens Way to Well Commitment, a four-year, $100 million initiative to improve the everyday health of people by providing resources that help prevent and detect diseases.
"Vitamin Angels is built on the belief that providing availability, access and use of micronutrients gives children and other at risk populations a fighting chance to achieve a healthy and successful life," stated Howard Schiffer, president and founder of Vitamin Angels. "We are thankful for the support from Walgreens, vendor participants and most of all, its customers for the commitment and contributions to the cause."
