Hy-Vee set a bold goal in 2023 to providing 100 million meals to Feeding America and 19 partner food banks serving families experiencing hunger across the Midwest by the end of last year. The grocery store chain says they surpassed this milestone after a 20-month campaign that included customer donations as well as supplier donations of food and money.
“Our customers and employees have been tremendous in supporting our fight against hunger, as have our supplier partners,” says Jeremy Gosch, chairman and CEO of Hy-Vee. “Thanks to them, 19 food banks and the thousands of pantries they support have been able to serve millions of families across the Midwest. When people come together, we truly can make a real difference for our neighbors and our 100 Million Meals Challenge demonstrated that.”
Over the course of the campaign, customers were able to donate by rounding up their purchases to the nearest dollar during checkout. All of the money collected at the stores went directly to food banks that operate in Hy-Vee’s nine-state region, including the one in Lincoln.
In addition, corporate donations from Hy-Vee and Hy-Vee’s supplier partners were instrumental in reaching the 100 million meal goal. Now that the 100 Million Meals Challenge has concluded, Hy-Vee and Feeding America plan to focus on childhood hunger in 2025. A new campaign will be announced in the upcoming weeks.