Harmons Grocery Stores has given $244,287 to the Utah-Southern Idaho Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society as part of the food chains 80th anniversary celebration.

The West Valley City-based chain raised money in May and June for the local non-profit by collecting donations at check stands, selling bratwursts and hot dogs on the weekends, hosting a charity golf tournament and sponsoring a bike team. All proceeds will go directly to the local National MS Society chapter.

"We are incredibly grateful to Harmons for getting behind Bike MS and going over the top every year in raising funds for our programs," said Royle-Mitchell, MS chapter president "Utah has one of the highest incidence rates of multiple sclerosis in the nation and the funds raised by Harmons will support critical research, information and referral programs, professional and community education, financial assistance, scholarships, wellness programs, advocacy, support groups and a lending library."

The National MS Society seeks a world free of multiple sclerosis. Every hour someone is newly diagnosed with MS, a chronic, unpredictable often disabling disease of the central nervous system. It is estimated that one in 300 Utahns has MS.

Harmons is one of Utahs few remaining locally-owned and operated grocery chains. It supports local charities throughout the year and is one of the largest contributors in the state to Special Olympics Utah, the National MS Society and the Utah Food Bank.

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Harmons Donates nearly $245,000 to National MS Society