Hunger knows no season: Tops begins 'Check Out Hunger' campaign

Announces success of ‘Food 2 Families’

Tops Friendly Markets announces the start of its annual “Check Out Hunger” initiative.

A press release stated, “Tops is committed to eradicating hunger in its local communities and is proud to support its partners every year by running annual campaigns like ‘Check Out Hunger,’ which officially kicks off in area Tops locations Jan. 21-Feb. 10.”

Tops officials added, “No matter the season, hunger plagues every corner of our community – and with food insecurity at an all-time high, the need continues to grow. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, millions more Americans had difficulty securing enough food in 2022 compared to the year prior, including 1 million more households with children. But you have helped make a difference.”

Working with the community, Tops amassed more than 2.5 million pounds of food for area food banks during the recent “Food 2 Families” and “Food for Families” campaigns (Nov. 12 through Dec. 24).

The press release explained, “These valuable campaigns help the community support food banks in their own backyards, including FeedMore WNY, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania, Foodlink, Food Bank of Central New York, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Food Bank of the Southern Tier, Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Vermont Food Bank, and Food Bank of the Hudson Valley.”

Tops President Ron Ferri said, “We want to thank the community for their generosity. We are committed to helping battle food insecurity, and couldn’t do it without the wonderful donations of food and funding we receive during these campaigns. We ask that, if you are able, please continue to help support your fellow neighbors in need next time you check out at Tops.”

To make a contribution to the new campaign while shopping at Tops, tell the cashier to “Check Out Hunger” and donate $2, $3 or $5.

Based in Williamsville, Tops Markets currently operates 148 grocery stores in New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont, including five that are run by franchisees. For more information, visit www.topsmarkets.com.