COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Lots has announced a charitable effort to help hungry families in the West Columbus community. The Company's associates will plant and maintain a 17-bed community garden and hope to harvest more than 2,000 pounds of fresh produce in 2015 for the LSS Westside Food Pantry through the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.

"Big Lots associates care about getting involved where they live and work," noted Trey Johnson, Big Lots Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager and Mid-Ohio Foodbank Board Member. "West Columbus is our home, and the community garden will make a difference for our neighbors in need."

The Big Lots Foundation focuses the Company's charitable giving on four areas of need: hunger, housing, healthcare, and education. These areas align with Company values and address needs of families and children in the communities and neighborhoods Big Lots serves.

In 2014, Big Lots donated 1.2 million pounds of food from its Columbus Distribution Center to Central Ohio food pantries through the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. The Company also donated more than 7 million pounds of food nationwide from its distribution centers through a partnership with Feeding America.

If you are in need of food, contact the Mid-Ohio Foodbank at 614-277-FOOD (3663).

About Big Lots, Inc.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) is a unique, non-traditional discount retailer operating 1,461 Big Lots stores in 48 states with product assortments in the merchandise categories of Food, Consumables, Furniture & Home Decor, Seasonal, Soft Home, Hard Home, and Electronics & Accessories. Our vision is to be recognized for providing an outstanding shopping experience for our customers, valuing and developing our associates, and creating growth for our shareholders. For more information, visit www.biglots.com.

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SOURCE Big Lots, Inc.