Big Y hosted its annual Sack Hunger campaign, which provides funds for the four food banks within its two-state marketing area. In turn, these food banks support local soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day care centers and many others of the 2,100 member agencies that they help every day. Their goal is to maximize access to nutritious food and other resources that support food security for those at risk of hunger.
For $5, customers supported Sack Hunger at Big Y’s 71 supermarkets or Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors. Every $5 donation brings 10 meals to those in need of support. Last year Big Y and its customers donated 2.1 million meals to those in need. Once again to further support the increased needs within its community during this pandemic, Big Y also matched all donations.
“We appreciate the generosity of our customers and employees in helping us to support our friends and neighbors in need. And, we are grateful to our partnerships with our four area food banks for their tireless efforts in serving those most vulnerable in our communities. Being able to provide another 1.2 million meals through our Sack Hunger program helps us to fulfill our mission to feed families,” said Big Y President and CEO Charles L. D’Amour.
Again, this past year has seen dramatic increases in food insecurity throughout the region. Big Y’s Sack Hunger donation is part of its ongoing support throughout the year, including almost daily donations of meat, fresh produce and bakery along with grocery, frozen food and dairy items.
The four regional food banks are the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Worcester County Food Bank, the Greater Boston Food Bank in Massachusetts and the Connecticut Foodshare.
Big Y Foods is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England. Big Y operates 85 locations throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut including 71 supermarkets, Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors and 13 Big Y Express gas and convenience locations with almost 12,000 employees.