Wawa Inc. said it’s holding its ninth annual Check Out Hunger Campaign to benefit local food banks. The campaign will run Nov. 3 though Nov. 30 at all 570 Wawa stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
The Check Out Hunger Campaign is an annual in-store fundraising campaign that allows Wawa customers to combat area hunger through scannable UPC coupons.
Customers can either add $1, $3, or $5 donations to their Wawa purchase or they can chose to purchase “soup bowl” cutouts to be displayed with their name in the store; proceeds will benefit the Feeding America food banks throughout Wawa’s market areas.
“At Wawa we have our always taken our commitment to fighting hunger very seriously, and we are keenly aware that the aid and support of local food banks is a critical piece in the fighting hunger equation,” said Howard Stoeckel, Wawa’s president and CEO.“Through our Check Out Hunger campaign, we hope to assist the life-altering work of our local food banks, creating a brighter, hunger-free future for everyone.”
Wawa said Check Out Hunger is part of its ongoing effort to fight hunger. In addition to the campaign, Wawa makes corporate contributions each year through the sponsorship of Kid’s Café & Baby Manna programs, as well as additional in-store fundraising.
Over the past five years, Wawa has contributed more than $500,000 from in-store fundraising and corporate contributions. Wawa hopes to build on the success of last year’s Check Out Hunger campaign, where Wawa received more than $100,000 in donations and raised enough funds to provide 1 million meals to local food banks.
“This year Check-Out Hunger is arriving in stores just in time,” said Mary O’Connell,Regional Check-Out Hunger Coordinator. “The Feeding America Food Banks across the region need help more than ever during this economic crisis. With more people in need when food bank shelves are empty, Check Out Hunger is absolutely crucial to our operations. Wawa and its customers have been longtime supporters and their generosity will help make the 2008 campaign a huge success for the Food Banks – and all those we serve.”