Content about Southern California

LOS ANGELES — A Kroger banner based in Los Angeles has kicked off a charitable campaign to benefit children's hospitals based in Southern California.

Ralphs on Monday said it is raising funds through its nonprofit, The Ralphs Fund, by asking customers and associates to donate their spare change in collection canisters located at Ralphs checkout stands.

Southern California children's hospitals that will benefit from the charitable fundraising drive include:

• Children's Hospital of Orange County;

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Customers facing economic challenges caused a decline in Stater Bros.' first-quarter sales, the Southern California supermarket chain said Wednesday.

For the quarter ended Dec. 26, Stater Bros. experienced a 2.3% decline in supermarket sales, as did same-store sales — which dropped to $21.3 million — for the period. The chain said that its customers "continue to face tough economic challenges as our economy continues to have a negative effect on their family budgets."

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. — Derma e Natural Bodycare, a manufacturer of natural skin care products, has announced the continued support of the nonprofit Special Olympics Southern California.

This year, in addition to contributing funds, Derma e supported Ventura County's 2010 Summer Dance that celebrated the completion of its summer games. The company donated skin care products with optimal levels of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and botanicals to help keep the athletes' skin healthy, nourished and protected while they played sports outdoors.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. A Southern California-based supermarket chain is assisting with hunger relief throughout November and December.

Stater Bros., in conjunction with its charitable arm, Stater Bros. Charities, will host its Harvesting Hope campaign. The retailer said it is collecting nonperishable food items for struggling families and accepting additional cash donations in all 167 Stater Bros. stores. The stores also are offering customers the opportunity to purchase $10 Harvesting Hope scannable donation cards.