Wegmans Delivering Food to 9 Food Banks

Galvanized by United Way of the National Capital Area’s “Do More 24” campaign, Wegmans Food Markets, in partnership with the Maryland Food Bank, will donate 53,990 pounds of food to five food banks in Maryland and 50,380 pounds to four food banks in Virginia. All donations will take place on June 6.

“One of our values at Wegmans is making a difference in every community we serve,” explained Mark Ferrera, the grocer's SVP for the Virginia/Maryland area. “We know that summer, when children are home from school, is an especially challenging time for food banks to meet the need for nutritious meals. So the time to help is now.”

Eight of the food pantries will receive a half-truckload of food, including canned soups, vegetables and fruit, in addition to peanut butter, canned tuna, pasta, cereal, baking mixes, coffee, tea and salad fixings. One Virginia pantry will receive a full truckload.

Consistent with Wegmans’ hands-on approach to community outreach, local store employees will be at each food bank to unload the deliveries.

Last year, Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans donated more than 16 million pounds of fresh and nonperishable foods to food banks in all its market areas. The stores also run checkout donation programs for hunger relief. In 2012, Wegmans raised more than $2.3 million across all its stores in this way, with all money going directly to local food banks.

“Many people don’t realize the need food banks fill at this time of year,” added Ferrara. “We hope it will encourage other donations throughout the region.”

Family-owned Wegmans operates 81 stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts.