Tops raises more than $114K for Food Bank of WNY during 'Food 2 Families' food drive

Tops Friendly Markets, in partnership with WGRZ-TV, announced Wednesday the 2011 "Food 2 Families" annual food drive raised $114,605 to benefit the Food Bank of Western New York.

"Helping to eradicate hunger in the Western New York community is an important part of Tops' core mission," said Frank Curci, Tops' president and CEO. "Especially now when our neighbors need help the most, this annual event allows the entire community to be part of that mission."

"This was a phenomenal year thanks to the generous community and our terrific partners at Tops Friendly Markets and WGRZ-TV," said Marylou Borowiak, president and CEO of the Food Bank of WNY. "We are so grateful to all the children, adults, businesses and organizations that came out to support the Food Bank of WNY. Over 30,000 families rely on our services each and every month, and the food and monies collected will enable us to distribute 702,744 meals to these families."

From Friday, Dec. 2, through Friday, Dec. 9, customers were encouraged to purchase "Little Brown Bags of Hope" for $5, $10 or $20. Sold at all Western New York Tops Friendly Markets locations throughout the week, the bags included a variety of food items needed by the Food Bank, including canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, rice, cereals and other non-perishable food items. All bags purchased throughout the week were donated to the Food Bank of Western New York.

The week culminated with a daylong outdoor food drive on Dec. 9, where volunteers from Tops Friendly Markets, WGRZ-TV and The Food Bank of Western New York collected food and funds at six area Tops Friendly Markets.

Tops Friendly Markets proudly reaffirmed its mission of eradicating hunger by providing the Food Bank with an additional donation of $10,000 in canned foods. The donation was made up of cans used in a "Canstruction" food structure with design and building donated by Carmina Woods Morris PC Architecture and Engineering. The structure was designed in the shape of toy blocks with the theme being "Building Blocks to End Hunger." Canstruction is an international charity where architects, engineers, contractors and students compete to design and build giant structures made entirely from full cans of food.

About Tops

Tops Markets LLC is headquartered in Williamsville, and operates 133 full-service supermarkets - 127 company-owned and six franchise locations. With more than 14,000 associates, Tops is a leading full-service grocery retailer in upstate New York and northern Pennsylvania.

For more information about Tops Markets, visit the company's website at www.topsmarkets.com.