9 TONS OF FOOD

Donations were collected through Wegmans’ Care About Hunger program

UWCHLAN » “It makes us feel happy,” that was the simple explanation Wegmans employee Jun Murray had for her reasons for volunteering to pack food at the Chester County Food Bank.

Murray was part of a group of Wegmans employees from the Downingtown and Malvern stores who took part in volunteering to help pack nearly nine tons of food that the company had donated to the Food Bank.

In addition to the food, Wegmans presented a $152,789 check from money customers and staff had donated between October and December as part of the company’s “Care About Hunger” program. At checkout customers were asked if they’d like to donate $1 to $5 or any other amount with 100 percent of all proceeds going to the food bank.

“Usually people are pretty generous,” said Malvern cashier Claire Solomon, who was recognized as raising the most money. “I like it when you think the money is going locally.”

“I am truly amazed at the collaboration between Wegmans and their customers,” said Larry Welsch, Chester County Food Bank executive director. “Wegmans has been a partner with us since 2010, donating over three quarters of a million dollars through Care

About Hunger. Unfortunately, food insecurity continues to increase in Chester County so we are ever grateful that Wegmans is a steadfast supporter of the Food Bank and our mission to mobilize the community to ensure access to real, healthy food.”

“It’s been a really good experience, it’s really cool to help the community,” said Jesse Mahtani of the Malvern store. “It’s great to step outside the store and do something for the community.”

The Chester County Food Bank is the central hunger relief organization serving more than 120 partner agencies in the county. The Food Bank distributes over 2.8 million pounds, with more

than 33 percent being fresh produce, through its network of food cupboards, hot meal sites, shelters and other social service.

“This comes at the perfect time,” said Anne Shuniak, Chester County Food Bank communications manager. “Donations from the holiday season are gone, we had an uptick during the Super Bowl and some other events but this will be put right to use.”

On Thursday, the Wegmans volunteers sorted through food filling pallets of mixed products that will go out to partner networks. The first step was removing damaged cans and products past their expiration date. Products up to one year past the expiration date are marked as such. Items over a year past the expiration date are considered expired and are removed.

“It’s about dignity, we don’t want people to think ‘I’m only worth an expired tomato,’” said Shuniak. “Everyone is worth real healthy food.”

Shuniak said 90 percent of the Food Bank’s donations come from the public and that every dollar will make a difference. She said they always welcome donations and volunteers.

“What you need is what we need,” said Shuniak when asked what to donate. “If you like spaghetti and they are having a sale on 10, use the one and you can give the rest to us.”

Since its 2009 inception in a two-car garage in Parkesburg, the Chester County Food Bank has been mobilizing the community to ensure access to real, healthy food. It now occupies a 36,000 foot warehouse in Eagleview. For more information visit www.chestercountyfoodbank.org, or call 610-873-6000.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Downingtown Wegmans Food Markets employees Michele Fowler, Michael and Shelbey Nelson volunteer by sorting and packing boxes of food donated by Wegman’s for the Chester County Food Bank. Wegmans also presented a check for $152,789 from the Downingtown and Malvern stores to the food bank.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Larken Wright-Kennedy, volunteer manager at the Chester County Food Bank, and Durinda Barker of the Malvern Wegmans, check the expiration dates of food donated by Wegmans. Dates over a year are marked as past date, containers older than that are disposed of.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Downingtown and Malvern Wegmans Food Markets employees present Chester County Food Bank executive director Larry Welsch, center with a check for $152,789 and a truckload of nearly nine tons of non-perishable food. The money was raised during Wegmans’ Care About Hunger campaign, during which customers were asked if they would contribute $1 to $5 or any other amount at checkout, with all the proceeds going to the local food bank.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Malvern and Downingtown Wegmans Food Markets employees volunteers sort and pack boxes of food donated by Wegmans for the Chester County Food Bank. Wegmans also presented a check for $152,789 from the Downingtown and Malvern stores to the food bank.

PETE BANNAN — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Downingtown Wegmans Food Markets employees Jun Murray and Jesse Mahtani volunteer sorting and packing boxes of food donated by Wegmans for the Chester County Food Bank. Wegmans also presented a check for $152,789 from the Downingtown and Malvern stores to the food bank.