Weeklong Food Drive Assists Food Insecure Westchester Residents

Colleen O’Brien among the Stop & shop customers who helped fill donation bins at the Yonkers Stop & Shop. Feeding Westchester, Bee-Line Bus System and Stop & shop have set up food donation bins at all Westchester Stop & Shop stores. The bins will be in place through October 30th

Representatives of Feeding Westchester, the Bee-Line Bus System and Stop & Shop addressed the growing issue of food insecurity in Westchester since the start of the pandemic in March.

They kicked off a weeklong Feeding Westchester Bee-Line Food Drive. Donation bins will be set up at all Westchester Stop & Shop stores until Friday, October 30.

Since the start of the Coronavirus outbreak, the need for food in Westchester County has significantly increased. Feeding Westchester’s network of agency partners and distribution programs throughout the county are serving more than 300,000 people experiencing hunger each month – that is more than twice as many, pre-COVID. With high unemployment rates, school and community program closures and many parents unable to go back to work due to job loss or need for childcare, children are at a greater risk of becoming food insecure, especially those who already rely on free or reduced school lunches and other food assistance programs.

Bee-Line will also station a bus at the Ossining Stop & Shop for a “stuff the bus” event from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 29. The weeklong program will conclude with a “stuff the bus” event at the Yonkers Stop & Shop from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Friday, October 30.