Hundreds of community members gathered on Riggs Road to celebrate the grand opening of Queen Creek’s newest Safeway, an event that blended student spirit and meaningful community support. The morning featured performances from local high school students, appearances by district leaders, and a powerful show of partnership between Safeway and Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD), setting the tone for a store opening focused on service, connection, and giving back.
Queen Creek High School cheer, pom, and football teams were on site to represent their school, while Crismon High School’s band and pom team delivered spirited performances that drew applause from the crowd. The presence of students from across the district highlighted the strong connection between Safeway and Queen Creek Unified School District.
During the ceremony, Safeway’s store manager emphasized the company’s commitment to service and community investment. “Safeway is committed to the communities we serve. We believe in giving back to schools, nonprofits, food banks, and others.” That commitment was underscored by the announcement of more than $100,000 in grants from the Safeway Foundation, including significant support for Queen Creek schools.
Safeway donated $25,000 to the Queen Creek Schools Education Foundation, along with $1,000 to each of QCUSD’s 15 schools. Additional $1,000 donations were presented to football, cheer, and band programs at Crismon, Queen Creek, and Eastmark High School.
QCUSD Superintendent Dr. Perry Berry thanked Safeway for investing in students and educators. “Our schools make a community what it is,” Dr. Berry said. “We are represented by some of the finest schools in all of Arizona and across the United States.” He also highlighted the importance of partnerships, noting that building positive relationships with community organizations is a key district priority.
“They reached out to our staff and engaged with us right away,” Dr. Berry said. “This $50,000 will help improve the experience of our students and programs, and it is a testament to what Safeway values in serving the local community.”
With student performances, generous donations, and a strong show of support, Safeway’s grand opening marked a meaningful new chapter for Queen Creek.