Wegmans Food Markets will begin collecting donations at the register for the 2018 Fill the Backpack Food Drive on Sunday, June 3rd. Food received will be used to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania’s Children’s BackPack Program.
During the Fill the BackPack campaign, Wegmans shoppers can purchase grocery bags filled with child-friendly food items in increments of $3, $5 and $10. This childhood anti-hunger initiative provides kids in need with weekend bags of nutritious, easy-to-prepare food. Last year, Wegmans shoppers donated 13,065 pounds of product that went directly towards feeding local students who would otherwise have gone without when school was not in session. Every Friday, the food goes home in the backpacks of eligible school children to ensure they have nutritious meals over the weekend.
From June 3 – June 17, local Wegmans stores will collect nonperishable food items for this program. “Unfortunately, 1 in every 5 children in Erie County lives in poverty,” shared Second Harvest Executive Director Karen Seggi. “Many of these children are at risk of hunger over the weekend because they do not have access to their school provided breakfast and lunch. By working together with our local Wegmans locations and their customers, the Second Harvest Food Bank can provide food to children in need. I am so grateful for our partnership with Wegmans. Together we are making sure that no child in Erie County is hungry.”
You can help by purchasing Fill the BackPack donation bags at Wegmans stores on West Ridge Road and Peach Street in Erie June 3 – 17 at the register.
