Stop & Shop marks its 300th school pantry partner this year through its ongoing School Food Pantry Campaign, reflecting significant expansion of its primary hunger initiative launched in 2019. Running for eight weeks through Oct. 30, the in-store effort allows shoppers to round up their total or contribute fixed amounts of $1, $3, or $5 at checkout. Every dollar collected funds school pantries across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.
Expanding Support for Students
By collaborating with educational institutions from early childhood through higher learning, the program installs pantries directly on campus, enabling students and families to obtain healthy food without embarrassment. Currently, over 290 schools participate, providing monthly assistance to more than 50,000 individuals. Per USDA data, roughly one in five American children experience hunger, with food insecurity affecting up to 43 percent of youth in certain areas served by the retailer.
According to Roger Wheeler, president, food instability affects multiple areas of a student’s development, including academic performance and general health. He emphasized that the School Food Pantry Program extends beyond basic sustenance—it aims to empower students and families toward long-term success.
One ambassador, Julia, was raised by a single parent and now raises her own children. She attributes completing her studies to her local community college pantry and intends to pursue a career in nutrition. Supporting vendors such as The Campbell’s Company, Flowers Foods’ Dave’s Killer Bread, General Mills’ Cheerios, and The Coca-Cola Company’s smartwater ensure consistent inventory levels.
Among the ambassadors is Jariel, eldest of five siblings attending Weaver High School in Hartford, Connecticut. Each Friday, he takes home essential items to aid his mother, who manages lupus, in feeding their household. He encourages others to understand the magnitude of their contribution. “My grandfather always told me that a dollar can go a long way,” he shared.
Other Grocers Step Up During Hunger Action Month
Across the industry, retailers are launching Hunger Action Month initiatives, especially as the start of the academic year brings renewed attention to youth nutrition challenges. Meijer highlights a full year of charitable activity, including its Simply Give program, which transforms $10 donations into food-specific gift cards distributed among nearly 600 regional pantries. Since its inception in 2008, the program has secured over $100 million and facilitated 940 million meals.
Additionally, Meijer recognized 18 volunteers through its inaugural Hunger Relief Hero Awards and organized its 12th annual Meijer LPGA Classic, raising $1.5 million for Simply Give. The chain also contributed truckloads of supplies for disaster recovery following Midwest storms and became the first Michigan-based retailer to accept WIC benefits online and via mobile app, serving approximately 190,000 women, infants, and children annually.
Tops Friendly Markets joins Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations alongside 11 suppliers to support four Latino-focused nonprofits across New York: the Spanish Action League of Onondaga County, Circulo Latino of the United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, and Latinos Unidos of the Hudson Valley. Beginning Sept. 29 in Buffalo, the company will present checks and deliver product donations.
On Sept. 19, Tops hosts its second Audrey Hamernik Community Food Drive, mobilizing volunteers from schools, fire stations, and scouting groups to gather contributions at three Depew locations benefiting three nearby food banks.
Schnucks has relaunched its Round Up at the Register campaign tied to its 2026 United Way drive, concluding Sept. 29. Shoppers may opt to round up purchases manually, select preset values of $1, $3, or $5 during self-checkout, or use accumulated rewards points.
A $20,000 Summers Without Hunger grant from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation supports daily meals and snacks for over 280 young people at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick County, Maryland.
In collaboration with Can’d Aid and Yasso, Hannaford Supermarkets constructed and gifted over 100 bicycles and helmets to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Maine. Associates built the bikes at the company’s Scarborough facility while the Bicycle Coalition of Maine provided fitting sessions and safety instruction. This initiative forms part of Can’d Aid and Yasso’s national goal to distribute over 1,000 bikes to underserved youth this year.
Local Impact and Sustainability Efforts
Kroger’s Central Division worked with the Illinois State University Horticulture Center in Normal, Illinois, planting nearly 20 trees and 10 shrubs—including seven fruit-bearing varieties—in coordination with the Arbor Day Foundation. This environmental effort aligns with Kroger’s broader Zero Hunger | Zero Waste strategy.
Tim Chacon, Kroger’s district manager for central Illinois, noted, “It is important for them to recognize that our support goes beyond our daily donations of food by helping the environment as well.”
