Hy-Vee Provides Free Meals to Children Amid SNAP Funding Issues

Hy-Vee, a prominent grocery store chain in the United States, is taking significant steps to support children and families facing challenges due to federal food assistance disruptions linked to the ongoing government shutdown. From November 3 to November 7, participating Hy-Vee locations will offer free meals to children aged 12 and under. This initiative aims to alleviate the impact of reduced federal funding on local communities, as detailed in a recent company announcement.

To further assist all customers, Hy-Vee will provide $3 hot meals available for dine-in or carryout from 16:00 to 19:00, Monday through Friday. Hy-Vee’s chief executive, Anna Stoermer, emphasized the company’s commitment to the communities it serves, stating, “We want to support the communities that support our stores, which is why we are doing everything we can to make sure no one goes hungry during these uncertain times.”

The menu for the free meals includes a variety of options designed to appeal to children. On Monday, children can enjoy a baked potato topped with pulled pork. Tuesday features spaghetti with meat sauce, accompanied by salad and bread. Wednesday’s offering is chicken and noodles served with mashed potatoes, while Thursday includes chili paired with a cinnamon roll. The week concludes on Friday with a choice of HyChi sesame or orange chicken rice bowl, complete with an appetizer.

Community Support and Partnerships

In addition to the free children’s meals, Hy-Vee is encouraging customers to contribute by purchasing $5 or $10 food donation bags, available in-store or online. These bags contain essential pantry items that will be distributed to local food banks. This initiative aligns with Hy-Vee’s ongoing efforts to address food insecurity in its service areas.

Hy-Vee has partnered with various suppliers to bolster its food assistance efforts, including Acadian Crossing Consumer Products, Dole, Pillsbury, ProHealth, StarKist Tuna, and SUNSET Mastronardi. The company recently made a substantial donation of $100,000 to its partner food banks associated with Feeding America. This funding is crucial for maintaining adequate inventory levels at local food banks, ensuring that families in need receive the support they require.

Additionally, Hy-Vee has contributed $25,000 to an initiative in collaboration with DoorDash. This funding helps waive delivery and service fees for customers utilizing food assistance benefits, allowing families to stretch their budgets further.

Over the past year, Hy-Vee has made substantial contributions to the fight against hunger, providing more than $70 million through in-kind food donations. These efforts exemplify Hy-Vee’s commitment to supporting communities and ensuring that no one faces hunger alone.