Midwest grocery chain Hy-Vee is stepping up to help the communities that support its businesses during the government shutdown. The West Des Moines, Iowa-based chain announced multiple efforts to help those battling food insecurity in the wake of expiring funds for SNAP and other government programs. The employee-owned corporation owns and operates more than 560 businesses across nine Midwest states.
Hy-Vee To Provide Free And Reduced-Price Meals
Barring some last-minute Hail Mary by the adjourned Congress, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding is set to lapse on November 1. This will put roughly 42 million low-income American SNAP beneficiaries at risk. Hy-Vee announced on Friday that every one of its stores with hot foodservice will offer free kids’ meals to children 12 and under from November 3 through November 7. The same meal will be available to everyone 13 and up for just $3. The meals will be available for dine-in or to go. Here is the menu for those meals:
- Monday, November 3: Baked Potato with Pulled Pork
- Tuesday, November 4: Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Salad, and Garlic Bread
- Wednesday, November 5: Chicken and Noodles with Mashed Potatoes
- Thursday, November 6: Chili and a Cinnamon Roll
- Friday, November 7: Sesame or Orange Chicken Rice Bowl
- In locations without HyChi, Friday’s meal will be two Chicken Tenders, Mashed Potatoes, and Corn
Food Bank Donation Bundles
Hy-Vee also announced that its grocery stores will offer donation bundles for those wishing to contribute to their local food bank. Stores will offer $5 and $10 bundles containing items food banks need most, like pasta sauce, cereal, and canned vegetables and proteins. Stores will deliver the purchased bags to local food pantries daily in an attempt to meet the rising demand. Suppliers Dole, Pillsbury, StarKist Tuna, ProHealth, SUNSET Mastronardi, and Acadian Crossing Consumer Products have all pledged their participation in the program.
Other Hy-Vee Contributions
These new efforts come in addition to the company’s recent $100,000 donation to partnering Feeding America food banks and $25,000 donation to DoorDash’s initiative to waive fees for customers on food assistance. Hy-Vee has already provided approximately $70 million in in-kind food donations over the past year. The company will also be posting recipes on its social media accounts in the coming weeks that can be made for $3 or less per serving using products available in its stores. For more information on Hy-Vee’s community outreach programs, contact your local store or head to their website.
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