Foodlink and Wegmans Launch Check Out Hunger Campaign
The 33rd annual drive helps address rising food insecurity across the Rochester region before the holiday season.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Philanthropy
Live Poll
Do you find it increasingly difficult to afford your household's grocery needs compared to last year?
Foodlink has officially launched its 33rd annual Check Out Hunger campaign in partnership with 21 local Wegmans grocery stores. The initiative allows shoppers to support regional food assistance efforts as pantry visits reach record highs.
Why it matters
The campaign aims to alleviate rising food insecurity exacerbated by higher grocery and gasoline costs. This effort arrives as many families struggle with the impacts of recent federal SNAP work requirement changes.
Foodlink supports more than 400 partner pantries across its service area, where the 14605 zip code currently faces a food insecurity rate of nearly 37%. Every dollar donated during the campaign is converted into three meals for residents in need.
The players
Foodlink
This regional food hub supports more than 400 food pantries and manages extensive distribution logistics to address hunger.
Wegmans
This major supermarket chain operates 21 stores in the Rochester area and serves as a lead partner for the donation campaign.
The details
Customers can contribute to the campaign by rounding up their total or donating a set amount at checkout in any of the 21 participating Wegmans locations. These funds assist Foodlink in maintaining operations for its 135 employees who drive 7,000 miles daily to facilitate food distribution.
Timeline
August 2026: Foodlink recorded the highest number of food pantry visits in its history.
October 21, 2026: The Check Out Hunger campaign launched at local Wegmans stores.
November 28, 2026: The Check Out Hunger campaign concludes.
Market Landscape
This campaign operates alongside the administrative pressure placed on Monroe County, which expects to spend $3 million annually to adjust to federal SNAP funding changes. By scaling donation efforts through retail partnerships, the initiative attempts to bridge the gap between public assistance shifts and the basic dietary needs of residents.
Shoppers can directly impact local food security by choosing to round up their bills at checkout during their regular grocery visits. These donations provide an immediate, practical way for residents to help offset the rising cost of living for their neighbors.
The takeaway
The Check Out Hunger campaign serves as a critical safety net for residents during periods of economic instability. Shoppers are encouraged to participate early, as the campaign runs only through the end of November.
Further reading
Learn more about the Philanthropy efforts currently shaping the Rochester community.
More information
To contribute to the initiative, visit the Foodlink online donation portal.
Live Poll
Do you find it increasingly difficult to afford your household's grocery needs compared to last year?
