Springfield, Massachusetts-based Big Y’s annual “Sack Hunger” campaign has provided funds for the four food banks within its two-state marketing area. These food banks support local soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day care centers and 2,100 other member agencies.
The goal of the program is to maximize access to nutritious food and other resources that support food security for those at risk of hunger. The four regional food banks are Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Worcester County Food Bank, Greater Boston Food Bank in Massachusetts and Connecticut Foodshare.
This past year has seen increases in food insecurity throughout the region. Big Y’s “Sack Hunger” donation is part of its support throughout the year including daily donations of meat, fresh produce and bakery along with grocery, frozen food and dairy items.
For $5, customers supported “Sack Hunger” at Big Y supermarkets or Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors. Every donation brings 10 meals to those in need of support. Last year, Big Y and its customers donated 2.1 million meals. To support the increased needs within the communities, Big Y also matched all donations.
“We appreciate the generosity of our customers and employees in helping us to support our friends and neighbors in need,” said Charles L. D’Amour, Big Y president and CEO. “And, we are grateful to our partnerships with our four area food banks for their tireless efforts in serving those most vulnerable in our communities. Being able to provide another 1.2 million meals through our Sack Hunger program helps us to fulfill our mission to feed families.”
Big Y Foods Inc. is one of the largest independently owned supermarket chains in New England. It operates 84 locations throughout Massachusetts and Connecticut including 71 supermarkets, Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors and 13 Big Y Express gas and convenience locations with almost 12,000 employees.
The company has been recognized by Forbes as a Best-in-State Employer in Massachusetts and Connecticut for the past three years, as well as 2018 Employer of Choice by the Employers Association of the Northeast. Founded in 1936 by brothers Paul and Gerald D’Amour, the store was named after an intersection in Chicopee, Massachusetts where two roads converge to form a “Y.”
For more information, visit bigy.com.
The original article can be found at The Shelby Report.
