With food insecurity at its highest level in a decade and the holidays approaching, grocers from Maine to California are directing corporate dollars, checkout campaigns and a lucky lottery ticket toward their neighbors facing hunger.
Hannaford invests $500,000 in Maine nutrition programs
Hannaford Supermarkets is investing $500,000 in nutrition and food access programs for vulnerable populations in Maine, the latest installment of its Eat Well, Be Well – A Path to Better Health initiative, which has provided $5 million since 2022.
The funds go to four organizations:
- Preble Street ($150,000) will launch its Harvest to Home program, with chef-prepared frozen meals distributed through Good Shepherd Food Bank’s pantry network, providing an additional 100,000 meals in all 16 Maine counties;
- The Christine B. Foundation ($150,000) will expand cancer nutrition services, connecting patients with fresh produce, medically tailored groceries and home delivery;
- MaineHealth ($100,000) will pilot an expansion of its ProduceRx program, giving patients in its remote hypertension management program digital benefits for fruits and vegetables at stores including Hannaford; and
- The Dempsey Center ($100,000) will support its no-cost Nutrition and Garden Program, which reaches more than 380 clients annually.
“Caring for our communities means being there for our neighbors and responding to their needs,” said Ericka Dodge Katz, external communications and community impact director at Hannaford. “Access to nourishing food is central to that commitment.”
Tom Thumb, Albertsons, Randalls aim for $1 million
Albertsons Companies’ Southern Market banners launched Holiday Bucks, a four-week checkout campaign running Nov. 3-30 at Tom Thumb, Albertsons and Randalls stores in North Texas, Austin, Houston, Louisiana and Oklahoma, with every dollar staying in the community where it was given. Holiday Bucks is part of the Albertsons Companies Foundation’s Nourishing Neighbors initiative.
Customers raised nearly $995,000 last year; this year’s goal is $1 million. Texas remains the most food-insecure state in the nation, with 1 in 4 Dallas-Fort Worth children deemed food-insecure, according to the North Texas Food Bank.
“The holidays are a time when communities come together, and Holiday Bucks makes it easy for our customers and associates to help neighbors facing hunger,” said Eureka McCrae, VP of operations for Albertsons Companies’ Southern Market.
Save Mart, Keurig Dr Pepper renew Friends Feeding Friends
The Save Mart Companies and Keurig Dr Pepper brought back the Friends Feeding Friends food drive through Jan. 3 at all Save Mart, Lucky and FoodMaxx stores in California and Western Nevada, after raising more than $650,000 last year. Shoppers can give $5 or $10 through Pantry Pack donations at checkout, with 100 percent going to local food banks, while the two companies each contribute $1,000 daily for 60 days, a combined $120,000. The first distribution lands in mid-December, with a second round in early 2027 to bridge the winter months.
“A single $5 Pantry Pack can help provide at least 15 meals to neighbors in need,” said Jim Thatcher, SVP of retail operations at The Save Mart Companies.
Food City runs its 34th Race Against Hunger
Food City
kicked off its annual Race Against Hunger campaign, running Nov. 4-30, inviting customers to give $1, $3 or $5 at checkout, round up their total or contribute online. All proceeds benefit local hunger relief organizations, with approximately four meals provided per dollar donated; last year’s campaign raised more than $541,000. The program dates to 1992.
“Hunger is a serious problem throughout our region and our Race Against Hunger program provides vital support to numerous hunger relief organizations throughout our market area,” said Steven C. Smith, president and CEO of Food City parent K-VA-T Food Stores.
Big Y sacks hunger for 4 regional food banks
Big Y is running its annual Sack Hunger campaign through Dec. 9, raising funds for four regional food banks serving Connecticut and Massachusetts: Connecticut Foodshare, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, The Greater Boston Food Bank and Worcester County Food Bank, which together support more than 1,400 member agencies. Customers can give $5 at any register in Big Y supermarkets, Big Y Express locations and Table & Vine stores or online, with each donation providing 10 meals.
The grocer will also donate a portion of proceeds from produce and floral purchases Nov. 12-18, Our Family of Brands purchases Nov. 27-Dec. 2 and meat purchases Dec. 3-9. Since 2010, Sack Hunger has helped provide millions of meals, and each Big Y location donates fresh and grocery products to local food banks up to six days a week year-round.
“Sack Hunger has become a meaningful Big Y holiday tradition centered on caring for our neighbors,” said Rick Bossie, EVP and COO of Big Y. “When our customers and employees come together around this shared purpose, their generosity reaches far beyond our stores.”
Wegmans turns Powerball luck into 25,000 meals
Wegmans will donate the full $30,000 retailer bonus it receives from the New Jersey Lottery for selling the winning $847 million Powerball ticket at its Montvale store. The donation benefits the Community FoodBank of New Jersey through Wegmans’ Check Out Hunger campaign, now in its 33rd year, and will provide 25,000 meals. Since the program began, Wegmans customers have contributed nearly $58 million.
“We couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate this incredibly lucky moment for our Montvale store and community,” said Nick Tassi, Montvale store manager.
Price Rite rallies for 400 Syracuse families
Price Rite Marketplace teamed with Feed the Children, Jubilee Homes and the Syracuse City School District to 
distribute food and essentials to nearly 400 families Oct. 29, part of its 12-year-old Feeding Minds & Bodies campaign. Each family received a 25-pound box of food, a 15-pound box of personal care items, water and Price Rite gift cards, with school-supply backpacks to follow. The Wakefern-owned banner has contributed nearly $3 million to Feed the Children’s mission, reaching more than 240,000 people in the Northeast.
“Through our partnership with Feed the Children, we’ve been able to provide food and essential resources to nearly 230,000 people over the years,” said Kevin McDonnell, president of Price Rite Marketplace.
Brookshire Brothers triples rewards on Give Back Day
Brookshire Brothers
will hold Give Back Day on Nov. 14, when every purchase of a Brown Bag of Hope (options range from holiday baking and cooking bags to school supply and toiletry bags) or a Help a Neighbor in Need meal (turkey, cornbread dressing, gravy, rolls and a side) earns triple Celebrate Reward Points.
The employee-owned Texas grocer works with local nonprofits to distribute the donated meals and essentials.
Feeding America enlists holiday partners
Feeding America’s holiday lineup also includes several grocery names:
- Food Lion’s Holidays Without Hunger box program (Nov. 4-Dec. 8, minimum $300,000 commitment);
- The Giant Company’s Millions of Meals campaign (Nov. 6-19, with $15 in select purchases at Giant and Martin’s triggering $5 off and a $10 donation);
- Fresh Thyme Market’s November round-up; and
- campaigns from Crate & Barrel, Free People and convenience chain Maverik.
Food insecurity has reached its highest level in a decade, the organization said.