The Great American Milk Drive helps fight hunger by providing milk, complete with high-quality protein, to families in need during Hunger Action MonthTM
SUNBURY, PA, 2015-9-9 — /EPR Retail News/ — That gallon of milk you consider a staple in your refrigerator is missing in Mid-Atlantic area food banks, and local children in need are missing out on the essential nutrients that milk provides. To help close the gap on this need, Weis Markets is joining the Great American Milk Drive during Hunger Action Month™ in September as part of its 8th annual Fight Hunger campaign.
“We are dedicated to the communities we serve, and doing our part to fight hunger within our communities,” said Richard Gunn, Weis Markets’ Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing. “Hunger Action Month is the perfect time for all of us to join the effort and support The Great American Milk Drive. We hope our customers will consider donating a gallon of milk through our Fight Hunger program when they visit their local Weis Markets throughout September.”
The second new feature to Weis Markets’ campaign is its new Fight Hunger reusable bag, which is on sale for $2. All proceeds from the sale of these bags will be donated to local Fight Hunger programs. Customers will be able to donate shelf-stable items, as well as purchase $2 and $4 vouchers during the checkout process. They can also round up their orders with 100 percent of the proceeds going to area food banks to help fill gaps in food supplies.
“More than 49 million Americans live in food insecure households, including 6 million children,” said Mr. Gunn. “The Great American Milk Drive and our Fight Hunger program gives our customers a practical way help more than 100 hunger organizations in their communities.”
Milk is Requested in Food Banks, Yet Missing
According to Feeding America®, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, milk is one of the items most requested by food bank clients, yet there is a nationwide shortage because it is rarely donated, and local hunger groups are struggling to meet the demand. Although Americans are generous with canned and dry goods, milk is much harder to donate because it is perishable. Feeding America clients receive the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person per year.
The Great American Milk Drive, the first-ever national program to help deliver highly desired and nutrient-rich gallons of milk to hungry families who need it most, is working to change that across the country. Since The Great American Milk Drive launched in 2014, more than 398,000 gallons – that’s more than 6.3 million servings – of milk have been donated to people who rely on the nation’s food banks to help supply their families with not only the food, but also the good nutrition they need.
What You Can Do Today
Visit your local Weis Markets and consider making a small donation at checkout to help deliver a gallon of nutrient-rich milk to a family in need in your community. For each $2.00 donation, customers will receive a special Fight Hunger reusable shopping bag and for each $4.00 donation, the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association will donate one gallon of milk to The Great American Milk Drive. If you are unable to donate in-store, you can donate at milklife.com/give. Entering your zip code ensures your donation is delivered to the food bank that serves your community.
In addition, throughout September, for every share of this Great American Milk Drive image tagged with #MilkDrive, a one-gallon donation will be made to one of the 200 food banks served by Feeding America.
Check out the milk social channels, Facebook.com/milk and @MilkLife on Twitter for additional information and Great American Milk Drive success stories. Please visit Facebook.com/WeisMarkets or WeisMarkets.com for more information on Fight Hunger.
# # #
About Weis Markets
Founded in 1912, Weis Markets, Inc. is a Mid Atlantic food retailer operating 163 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia. For more information, please visit: WeisMarkets.com or Facebook.com/WeisMarkets.
About Feeding America
Feeding America is the nationwide network of 200 food banks that leads the fight against hunger in the United States. Together, we provide food to more than 46 million people through 60,000 food pantries and meal programs in communities across America. Feeding America also supports programs that improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
About MilkPEP
The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., is funded by the nation’s milk companies, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption. The MilkPEP Board runs the Milk Life campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed to educate consumers about the powerful nutritional benefits of milk – with 9 essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, in each 8 ounce glass. For more information, go to milklife.com. Lowe Campbell Ewald is creative agency for the Milk Life campaign – from America’s milk companies.
###