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Record-breaking 'Check Out Hunger' campaign will help Food Bank of WNY provide more than 4.7 million meals to hungry community members

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Sat, May 19th 2018 12:55 pm
Western New York shoppers will help the Food Bank of WNY provide more than 4.7 million meals to people in need as a result of this year's record-breaking "Check Out Hunger" campaign. Customers of Dash's Market, Lexington Cooperative Market, The Market in the Square, Premier Gourmet, Premier Wines & Spirits, Price Rite, Tops Friendly Markets and Wegmans Food Markets donated more than $789,000 to feed hungry children, families and seniors in our community.
"For the 25 years that we've been running hunger relief scanning campaigns, we continue to be amazed by, and appreciative of, the selfless giving our customers and employees demonstrate each year. We know that these donations at checkout help reduce hunger in our communities and neighborhoods," said Michele Mehaffy, Buffalo consumer affairs manager for Wegmans Food Markets.
Customers of the Food Bank of WNY's "Check Out Hunger" retail partners had the option of donating $2, $3 or $5 at the register or rounding up their total. The campaign is the Food Bank's largest annual fundraiser and allows the organization to continue its mission of providing nutritious food and support to the hungry in Western New York in partnership with its 335 agencies throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties.
"At Tops we believe in eradicating hunger so supporting the 'Check Out Hunger' effort on an annual basis is something that we gladly stand behind," said Frank Curci, chairman of the board and CEO for Tops Friendly Markets. "We are honored to play a part in the overall success of the Food Bank of WNY. We know they are good stewards of the funds raised so our collaborative efforts will go a long way to assist those that face food insecurity in our communities."
As hunger remains a critical and persistent problem in Western New York, the most vulnerable community members continue to turn to the Food Bank of WNY and its agencies for help. The Food Bank's latest agency statistics reveal that, out of the 140,000 individuals assisted by the organization in any given month, 13 percent are seniors and nearly 40 percent are children. The Food Bank also serves the community's veterans: According to Feeding America's most recent "Hunger in America" study, nearly 22 percent of households assisted by the Food Bank of WNY have a member that has served in the military.
"Hunger does not discriminate. Many of our community members are one job loss, medical emergency or unexpected crisis away from needing food assistance," said Tara A. Ellis, Food Bank of WNY president and CEO. "The Food Bank of WNY could not effectively fight hunger without the support of the community. We are grateful to our retail partners and their dedicated store managers and cashiers for their tireless efforts throughout the campaign. We especially are thankful for our generous Western New York community members who continue to feed their neighbors in need through their support of 'Check Out Hunger.' "
The Food Bank of WNY is the primary hunger-relief organization in Western New York, obtaining and distributing food to 335 member agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, group homes and youth programs in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. Through these agencies, the Food Bank of WNY serves as many as 140,000 individuals in any given month, including 45,300 households, 54,500 children and infants and 18,370 seniors. For more information, visit www.foodbankwny.org.

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