Early Registration Begins May 1, 2024

May 1, 2024 [Chicopee, MA] – The Food Bank’s Will Bike 4 Food early registration begins May 1st and continues through May 31st. We are excited to welcome Stop & Shop back for their 9th consecutive year as the presenting sponsor. Through this partnership, Will Bike 4 Food brings cyclists from across the region together on Sunday, September 22nd to pedal toward a hunger-free Western Massachusetts.

Behind the scenes, Stop & Shop’s dedication to end hunger is robust and innovative. While Stop & Shop prioritizes serving its customers, the reality of any retail market is the risk of perfectly good surplus food going to waste. According to Feeding America, the equivalent of 145 billion meals goes into landfills each year – with much of that food still safe to eat. Often, the only reason for its disposal is cosmetic defects or an approaching sell-by date.

Stop & Shop has created an innovative way to reduce waste through its retail recovery program. Highquality food at risk of going to waste is donated to the Food Bank and our region’s food assistance network. Over the years, Stop and Shop has donated dairy products, frozen meats, produce, bread, baked goods, and more – the equivalent of 770,000 meals last year!

Stephanie Cunha, Manager of External Communications at Stop & Shop, says that the company is proud to be involved in the work of expanding food access, explaining, “Feeding people is part of our DNA, and it’s what drives our commitment to addressing hunger in the communities we serve.”

“Stop & Shop’s partnership is invaluable,” said Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director of the Food Bank. “Their contributions through the food recovery program and unwavering support for Will Bike 4 Food are essential in helping us end hunger in Western Massachusetts.”

The 14th annual Will Bike 4 Food will take place at the Lions Club Pavilion in Hatfield on Sunday, September 22, 2024. Early registration begins May 1st.and continues through May 31st. This year’s goal of $250,000 would provide the equivalent of 750,000 meals to the community!

Despre Banca de Alimente din vestul statului Massachusetts: Din 1982, Banca de Alimente din vestul statului Massachusetts a fost un partener comunitar pentru eradicarea foametei. Oferim alimente sănătoase și adaptate cultural direct prin propriile noastre programe (Bănci Alimentare Mobile și Brown Bag: Food for Elders) și prin rețeaua de asistență alimentară din comitatele Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden și Hampshire. Această rețea este formată din cămări independente, centre de masă și adăposturi care se află în prima linie, oferind alimente și resurse persoanelor, familiilor, seniorilor, copiilor, veteranilor și persoanelor cu dizabilități, astfel încât acestea să poată duce o viață sănătoasă și semnificativă. Banca de Alimente colaborează cu educația publică și advocacy pentru a aborda problemele sistemice care duc la foamete, operând cu convingerea că toată lumea are dreptul la alimente sănătoase.

CONTACT MEDIA:

Deb Ondo, Manager Comunicare și Implicare, Banca de Alimente din Vestul Massachusettsului

debo@foodbankwma.org Telefon: 413-419-0170.