Hy-Vee says it reached its goal of helping provide 100 million meals to Feeding America and 19 partner food banks serving families experiencing hunger across the Midwest.
The grocer surpassed the milestone after a 20-month campaign that included customer donations as well as supplier donations of food and funds, according to a news release.
“Our customers and employees have been tremendous in supporting our fight against hunger, as have our supplier partners,” said Hy-vee Chairman and CEO Jeremy Gosch. “Thanks to them, 19 food banks and the thousands of pantries they support have been able to serve millions of families across the Midwest. When people come together, we truly can make a real difference for our neighbors and our 100 Million Meals Challenge demonstrated that.”
Over the course of the campaign, customers were able to donate by rounding up their purchases to the nearest dollar during checkout. All funds collected at stores went directly to the 19 Feeding America partner food banks that operate in Hy-Vee’s nine-state region. Additionally, corporate donations from Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee’s supplier partners were instrumental in reaching the 100-million-meal goal, the release said.
While the funds collected contributed to much of the campaign, national food suppliers also donated product to local food banks, including Hormel Foods, Smithfield and General Mills, as well as Hy-Vee stores amplifying its food rescue program — a vital part of food bank operations — amounting to more than nearly 17 million pounds of food donated by Hy-Vee stores, the release said. In total, Hy-Vee raised 102 million meals during the challenge.
“Congratulations to Hy-Vee on reaching the remarkable milestone of helping provide 100 million meals to people facing hunger in local communities. This achievement demonstrates the incredible impact we can make when people come together to pursue a shared goal,” said Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot. “Partners are essential to the movement to end hunger, and we are so grateful to Hy-Vee for their dedication and leadership in this vital effort.”
Now that the 100 Million Meals Challenge has concluded, Hy-Vee and Feeding America plan to focus on childhood hunger in 2025, with a new campaign to be announced in the coming weeks, the release said.
