Tops Friendly Markets launches 20th annual 'Food 2 Families' campaign

Tops Friendly Markets Press Release and Graphic

Tops Friendly Markets is honored to mark the 20th anniversary of the Tops “Food 2 Families” campaign, benefiting FeedMore WNY.

As the need continues to grow to help our fellow neighbors in need, we hear of staggering statistics: Last year alone, 6.5 million households with children (under the age of 18) were food-insecure, and households as a whole showed an increase from 12.8% in 2002 to 13.5% in 2023 as being uncertain of having or unable to acquire enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or other resources for food (source: US Department of Agriculture).

To help meet this increasing demand, Tops Friendly Markets is launching its annual “Food 2 Families” campaign, running Nov. 10 through Dec. 24, with the goal of providing over 2 million meals to neighbors in need.

We invite you to make a donation the next time you shop, either in-store or online.

Over the years, our “Food 2 Families” campaign became synonymous with the “Little Brown Bag of Hope.” When you shop, you can purchase a Little Brown Bag of Hope paper icon at the register and choose from a $5, $10 or $20 bag option to support a family in our community. These Little Brown Bags, filled with nutritious items for meal planning, can also be purchased at self-scan registers or online at www.topsneighborshelpingneighbors.com. Here, you can even select the food bank your donation will support – making it easy to contribute from your phone, tablet or desktop.

While donations are welcome throughout the campaign, many look forward to the one-day food drive on Friday, Dec. 6, when we’ll be joined by our media partner, WGRZ-TV Channel 2, as well as FeedMore WNY’s staff and volunteers.

You can bring donations directly to the following Tops locations, where our volunteers will happily accept them from the trunk of your car:

√ 5827 S. Transit Road, Lockport

√ 7200 Niagara Falls Blvd., Niagara Falls

√ 3980 Maple Road, Amherst

√ 4777 Transit Road, Depew

√ 6150 South Park Ave., Hamburg

√ 2101 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo

"FeedMore WNY is deeply grateful for the continued support of Tops Friendly Markets in the fight against food insecurity,” President and CEO Tara A. Ellis said. “For 20 years and counting, Tops Friendly Markets has provided nourishment and hope to Western New York neighbors through the ‘Food 2 Families’ drive. The need for food assistance throughout our community continues to rise. Last year alone, FeedMore WNY provided enough food for more than 16 million meals throughout our service area of Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties. It is because of steadfast partners like Tops Friendly Markets that we are able to fulfill our mission of offering dignity, hope and brighter futures to Western New Yorkers in need.”

Tops Friendly Markets President Ron Ferri said, “As we embark on the 20th year of Tops ‘Food 2 Families,’ we reflect on the tremendous impact this campaign has made on the communities we serve, all because we came together as a community to help our fellow neighbors in need. Every year, thanks to the support of Western New Yorkers, we’re able to exceed our goal.”

Headquartered in Williamsville, Tops Markets operates a robust network of 152 grocery stores spanning New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, including one franchise location in Lewiston. Discover more at www.topsmarkets.com.