Food Bank of WNY: Community's help needed to 'Check Out Hunger'

Local retailers participate in annual fundraising campaign to support Food Bank of WNY

Western New Yorkers can help feed their hungry community members while shopping at area grocery stores and retailers participating in the annual “Check Out Hunger” campaign to benefit the Food Bank of WNY. Customers have the option to donate $2, $3 or $5 at the register in order to help the nonprofit and its 317 member agencies provide nutritious food and support to those in need throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties.

Community members can participate in “Check Out Hunger” at the following retail partners:

• Tops Friendly Markets locations – now through Feb. 16
• The Market in the Square locations – now through March 2
• Wegmans Food Markets locations – Feb. 1-28
• Dash’s Market locations – Feb. 3 through March 2
• Premier Wine & Spirits – Feb. 11 through March 3
• Premium Wine & Spirits – April 1-30
• Lexington Cooperative Market locations – April 22 through May 5

Tara A. Ellis, president and CEO of the Food Bank of WNY, said, “We thank our retail partners for coming together once again to ‘Check Out Hunger.’ This partnership is the ultimate realization of the community of Good Neighbors being there for our neighbors, friends and all those around us who need a little help, often in the darkest days of their lives. Unfortunately, in any given month, as many as 140,000 individuals rely on the Food Bank of WNY and our partner agencies for food assistance. We could not continue our mission without the generosity of our wonderful community members digging deep and selflessly giving a few dollars to help feed babies, children, seniors, veterans and, sadly, also families struggling to get back on their feet after the partial government shutdown.”

Ellis said the Food Bank of WNY also is grateful for the partnership of Prestige Wine & Spirits and Price Rite, which held “Check Out Hunger” programs in the fall and winter of 2018.

“Check Out Hunger” is the largest fundraiser for the Food Bank of WNY and is critical to the organization as it continues to alleviate hunger in the community.

About the Food Bank of WNY

The Food Bank of WNY is the primary hunger-relief organization in Western New York, obtaining and distributing food to 317 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.