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Family owned and operated grocery store chain Market Basket has contributed an additional $10,000 to the Market Basket Charitable Foundation Scholarship at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, thanks to participation in the Market Basket golf tournament held at the Beaumont Country Club March 28.

Support for Â鶹ÊÓƵ dates back to 1977 when an area trade organization known as the Sabine Neches Food Industry Association comprised off independent grocers started a scholarship program. Through the years as the numbers of independent grocers declined, the Thompson family and Market Basket continued to play a role in the association.

“It is only natural that Market Basket would do something to provide college students with support in achieving their dreams based on our belief and history of supporting the communities we serve,” said Market Basket President Skylar Thompson.

In 2013, the Market Basket Charitable Foundation was established to provide college scholarships to local students with an initial gift of $10,000 and the intent to add to that endowment annually to ultimately provide four annual scholarships at Â鶹ÊÓƵ.   Currently, the scholarship supports two students at Â鶹ÊÓƵ.

“The support of strong, community-minded businesses like Market Basket makes a real difference to Â鶹ÊÓƵ students,” said Juan Zabala, vice president for university advancement. “We are grateful for their generosity and their continuing desire to ensure access to higher education through scholarships.”

In 1961, Ed Hughes opened his first Grocery store in Nederland and, in 1962, Bruce Thompson opened his first store in Groves. Today, Market Basket remains a privately owned grocer serving East Texas and Louisiana with 34 full-service supermarkets, employing more than 2,000 people.