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Wegmans’ annual Fill the Bus/Fill the Backpack scan campaign aims to help food banks ensure kids have access to adequate food during school breaks.
Rochester, N.Y., June 5, 2024 – Wegmans Food Markets today kicked off its companywide Fill the Bus/Fill the Backpack scan campaign to help ensure school-aged children continue to have access to adequate food during the summer months when they lose access to free and reduced-price school lunches.
The Wegmans’ Fill the Bus/Fill the Backpack checkout scan campaign raises money for the company’s 48 Feeding America food bank partners to help them stock their summer feeding and backpack programs. From June 5-19, customers can donate $3, $5, or any amount at checkout, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to each store’s local food bank.
“A little goes a long way,” said Linda Lovejoy, Wegmans community relations manager. “The collective result of thousands of customers donating a few dollars at checkout, is thousands of kids and their families having adequate food on their tables throughout the summer.”
While each food bank’s summer feeding program differs, they all focus on providing enough food for families to make a few healthy meals that are easy enough for kids to prepare on their own. Common items distributed through these programs include cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, milk, juice, peanut butter, Jelly, bread, fresh or canned fruits and vegetables, macaroni and cheese, and canned soup.
“The summer months can be a challenge for young families, as school-aged children are no longer getting meals at school, which increases a family’s need to access healthy food,” said Cheryl Schondek, chief operating officer at The Greater Boston Food Bank. “In Massachusetts, one in three children are living in a food insecure household, and we are not the exception to the rule. Wegmans’ shoppers can help to fill this gap through the Fill the Bus Campaign. Together, we have the power to end hunger.”
Wegmans has a long history of supporting local food banks through daily food donations and annual scan campaigns. In 2023, Wegmans donated more than 32 million pounds of food, and its customers raised more than $3.1 million through its annual scan campaigns to help reduce hunger.
Wegmans Food Markets, Inc. is a regional supermarket chain with 111 stores located along the east coast. The family company, recognized as an industry leader and innovator, celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2016. Wegmans has been named one of the ‘100 Best Companies to Work For’ by FORTUNE magazine for 27 consecutive years, ranking #6 in 2024.Small text at the bottom of press release
Tracy Van Auker
Public Relations Manager
585-429-3826
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