SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Big Y converted their Sack Hunger campaign from a $10 bag of groceries to a streamlined $5 donation to the five food banks within their marketing area. 

 

These regional food banks support local soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, children's programs and more for the 2,100-member agencies they serve every day.

 

During last November and December, Big Y customers and employees contributed almost $300,000. In order to expand their support, Big Y matched this contribution bringing the total up to $600,000 or 2.4 million meals.

 

"We appreciate the generosity of our customers and employees in helping us to support our friends and neighbors in need. And, we are grateful to our partnerships with our five area food banks for their heroic efforts in serving those most

vulnerable in our communities," Big Y president and CEO, Charles L. D'Amour said. "Being able to provide another 2.4 million meals through our Sack Hunger program helps us to fulfill our mission to feed families."

 

According to a press release, Big Y's Sack Hunger donation is part of their ongoing support throughout the year including almost daily donations of meat, fresh produce and bakery along with grocery, frozen food and dairy items. And, based upon

this past challenging year due to the pandemic, Big Y had already contributed another $250,000 in support of the food banks for their work with vulnerable populations.

 

The five regional food banks are the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, the Worcester County Food Bank, and the Greater Boston Food Bank in Massachusetts, as well as Foodshare and the Connecticut Food Bank in Connecticut. This year's virtual Sack Hunger bags were purchased from amongst 71 Big Y supermarkets, Fresh Acres Specialty Market and Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors.