Community can help 'Check Out Hunger' at Wegmans and Price Rite

New USDA data shows 31% increase in food insecurity

Submitted on Behalf of FeedMore WNY

Western New Yorkers will be able to help alleviate food insecurity while shopping for groceries. Starting Oct. 28, Price Rite Marketplace and Wegmans Food Markets will be launching their “Check Out Hunger” campaigns, enabling customers to make a donation at the register to support FeedMore WNY.

While Buffalo-area Wegmans locations formerly held their “Check Out Hunger” campaigns in late winter/early spring, they are now shifting their “Check Out Hunger” campaigns to fall. Wegmans’ 2023 “Check Out Hunger” campaign will run through Thanksgiving.

“We work with our food banks in every region of our company throughout the year, nourishing communities through daily food donations, nutritional education with our ‘Fill the Backpack’ campaign, and with the help of our customers through ‘Check Out Hunger.’ The annual ‘Check Out Hunger’ campaign allows our customers an easy way to support their neighbors in need,” said Michele Mehaffy, Wegmans public and community relations manager, Buffalo division.

Price Rite Marketplace will hold its “Check Out Hunger” campaign through Feb. 11, 2024.

“Check Out Hunger” is FeedMore WNY’s largest annual fundraiser and is critical to the continuation of its programs and services that provide nutritious food access, free workforce development training, nutrition education and other critical support.

While food insecurity has been a longstanding issue in Western New York, inflation and the end of many pandemic-era public benefits continue to exacerbate the need for food assistance. Nationwide, the rate of people living in food-insecure households grew by 31% from 2021 to 2022 according to recent data from the USDA’s Economic Research Service.

FeedMore WNY also continues to help more people experiencing food insecurity. In 2022, FeedMore WNY served 197,500 individuals throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties, which is more than the organization served during the height of the pandemic.

“As the cost of living continues to increase, more people are turning to FeedMore WNY for nutritious food and resources,” said Lisa Woodring, executive vice president of external affairs. “FeedMore WNY serves people of all ages, including children, working families, older adults and people with disabilities – but we need the support of the community to fulfill our mission.

“We encourage Western New Yorkers to support ‘Check Out Hunger’; participating is as simple as making a donation at the register when you purchase your groceries at Wegmans and Price Rite. Every donation makes a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need.”

More About FeedMore WNY

FeedMore WNY offers dignity, hope and a brighter future by providing nutritious food, friendship and skills training to its Western New York neighbors in need. Through its food bank distribution center and partner hunger-relief agencies, as well as its home-delivered meal program, other targeted feeding programs and RISE workforce development training, FeedMore WNY alleviates hunger and assists community members of all ages throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. More information can be found at www.feedmorewny.org.