BJ’s Wholesale Club is donating $1.25 million to help reduce hunger, starting with grants in the company’s home state of Massachusetts.
From new trucks and refrigeration units to renovations, the funds will help food banks and pantries increase their capacity to meet growing demand. The grants, given by BJ’s Charitable Foundation, will be used across the company’s footprint.
“BJ’s Wholesale Club is driven by a powerful purpose – taking care of the families who depend on us,” said Bob Eddy, chairman and CEO.
“For over 40 years, BJ’s has made a positive difference in all the communities where we live and work. Living our purpose has always started right here in Massachusetts.”
The funds will enable Franklin Food Pantry in Franklin, Massachusetts, to buy a new refrigerated truck and two commercial cooling units.
The pantry serves nearly 25,000 people annually and saw a 38 percent increase in demand for hunger-relief services from 2023-24, with that need continuing to grow this year.
“The generous support from BJ’s Wholesale Club is invaluable. With these new resources we’re able to improve efficiency and serve more community members,” said Tina Powderly, executive director of the food pantry.
Additional donations in Massachusetts will support community café renovations at Pearl Street Cupboard and Café in Framingham, the purchase of two commercial refrigerators at Marlborough Community Cupboard and a new box truck for El Buen Samaritano in Worcester. Combined, these organizations serve more than 100,000 people each year.
According to Feeding America, 47 million people in the U.S., including one in five children, are food insecure – the highest rate in 10 years. Through these capacity-building grants, BJ’s Charitable Foundation continues its long partnership with Feeding America. For more than 15 years, the partnership has provided more than 155 million meals.
“Our relationship with BJ’s is critical to meeting the increasing demand many local food banks and pantries face as millions of people turn to them for vital support,” said Lauren Biedron, SVP of corporate partnerships from Feeding America. “We are grateful for their generous financial support and donations of produce, meat and dairy products to ensure that everyone has access to the food and resources they need to thrive.”
Additional capacity-building grants will go to:
- City Harvest in New York City, New York;
- Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Hillside, New Jersey;
- Connecticut Foodshare in Wallingford, Connecticut;
- Dare to Care Food Bank in Louisville, Kentucky;
- Feeding South Florida in Pembroke Park, Florida;
- Forgotten Harvest in Oak Park, Michigan;
- Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Philabundance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania;
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida; and
- Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee in Maryville, Tennessee.
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