Shoppers throughout the Southern Tier donated $245,127 to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier during this year\u2019s Check Out Hunger campaign, which will provide 735,381 meals for people struggling with hunger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The total was announced today at the end of the Food Bank\u2019s GratiTOUR, a 10-hour, 15-stop celebration at each participating grocery store: Jubilee Foods, Save-A-Lot, Tops Friendly Markets, and Wegmans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Total amounts given by shoppers were announced at each store and several dedicated cashiers were honored with the Golden Cash Register Award for outstanding efforts on behalf of Check Out Hunger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is the 25th year that the Food Bank has partnered with local grocery stores for Check Out Hunger. Check Out Hunger is the Food Bank\u2019s largest community giving campaign. Shoppers donate at the register in the amounts of $2, $3, $5 or any amount they choose to help provide meals for Southern Tier families. This year\u2019s campaign ran Jan. 27 through March 2. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are so grateful to our wonderful grocery partners and their generous customers for their continued support,\u201d said Natasha Thompson, president and CEO of the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, adding, \u201cFundraisers like Check Out Hunger help to ensure that more people in the Southern Tier have full pantries and happier, healthier lives.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
All donations made during Check Out Hunger stay within the community. According to the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, one in eight people are considered \u201cfood insecure\u201d in the region and may struggle to access affordable, healthy food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n