Benefit for Wedgwood QFC Employees

*This campaign is organized by neighbors Gabe Galanda, Jordan Royer and Shaun Vinyard

Friends and neighbors,

As you likely are aware, Kroger, QFC’s parent company, has decided to close our Wedgwood QFC. Our beloved grocery store will close its doors forever at 11 p.m. on April 24.

Many of us who have shopped at the store for years and many of the staff are bereft over the sudden closure. Our Wedgwood QFC has been in operation for 22 years and employs 53 people. Several employees have worked there since its opening. For one family, three generations are employed at the store.

The store and employees – our neighbors – are a part of the heart of the Wedgwood and NE Seattle community. Although Kroger has indicated that they will try to transfer as many staff as possible to other locations across Seattle, it is no certainty that all 53 employees will be transitioned. We fear some will become unemployed in the middle of a pandemic or at least be displaced to elsewhere.

Each of us likely knows one or two of the store staff by name.  We know our checkers and baggers. We know our meat & seafood, produce, and deli department staff. We know the store’s managers.  But there are many less visible staff who keep the store operating day to day.

We, Wedgwood QFC’s patrons, are grateful to ALL the staff who have met every challenge to serve us over the years – through good weather and bad, on holidays (when they often had to work), and especially during the current pandemic where so much has been asked of them.

We wish to show our Wedgwood QFC employees and neighbors a gesture of gratitude. We want to give them a little lift, a boost, a thank you for their service and dedication. Let’s send them off with hope, thanks, and if possible, a little something in their pockets to ease their way.

All funds raised will be distributed among the 53 employees prior to the store closing.

Please share this campaign with our neighbors. Thank you.

And thank you, Wedgwood QFC friends and neighbors.