Big Y Sack Hunger Helps Others This Holiday Season

04:01PM / Tuesday, November 23, 2021Print Story | Email Story

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Big Y's annual Sack Hunger provides funds for the four food banks within their 2-state marketing area.

In turn, these food banks support local soup kitchens, food pantries, senior food programs, day care centers and many others of the 2,100-member agencies that they help every day. Their goal is to maximize access to nutritious food and other resources that support food security for those at risk of hunger.

For $5, a customer can support Sack Hunger from any register at Big Y's 72 supermarkets or Table & Vine Fine Wines and Liquors from Nov. 4 to Dec. 15. Customers can donate online at https://www.bigy.com/rs/GiftCards.

Big Y will be matching donations. Every $5 donation brings 10 meals to those in need of support. Last year Big Y and their customers donated 2.1 million meals to those in need.

"Throughout our 85-year history, we've recognized the importance of helping our communities. We know that our customers and employees are eager to support families across Massachusetts and Connecticut," said Big Y's president and CEO, Charles L. D'Amour. "Our Sack Hunger program makes it easy for the food banks to do their work. And with Big Y's matching donation, we anticipate even more help for our friends and neighbors as we respond to increased needs this past year."

In addition to Sack Hunger, Big Y donates healthy food to these food banks six days a week throughout the year. Most of last year's almost 6 million meals consisted of donations of meat and fresh produce, bakery, nonperishable grocery items,

frozen food and dairy items. Over the past ten years including Sack Hunger, Big Y has donated over $10.5 million dollars worth of food or 21 million meals to those in need. The four food banks are Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Worcester County Food Bank, Greater Boston Food Bank, and The Connecticut Food Share.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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