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Weis Markets Launches Month-Long Fight Hunger Food Drive

Fight Hunger begins Wednesday, September 1 and runs through October 2. This program will run in Weis Markets stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, West Virginia and in New York, where it is being launched for the first time in Binghamton.

"Since 2008, demand for emergency food service has significantly increased in the markets we serve," said David J. Hepfinger, Weis Markets' President and CEO. "Our Fight Hunger Food Drive gives our customers and associates a simple and effective way to support twelve food banks and the hundreds of emergency food providers they serve. As part of our Fight Hunger campaign, we will also be donating $200,000 to these food banks."

Karen Buch, Weis Markets Director of Lifestyle Initiatives, added, "Fight Hunger offers our customers a variety of giving options. We have worked with food banks to compile a list of the shelf-stable foods they need most, including: cereal, apple sauce, pasta, granola bars, canned beans, 100% fruit juice, canned fruit, grated cheese, rice, boxed mac and cheese, peanut butter, soups, canned sauces, instant potatoes, canned chicken and fish, canned vegetables and boxed skillet dinners."

Customers also have the option of donating $3, $5 and $10 vouchers which can be purchased at any Weis Markets' cash register. One hundred percent of the proceeds will be given to area food banks in the form of gift card donations so they can easily fill in any gaps in their food supplies. A convenient pre-filled Fight Hunger Donation Bag will also be available at stores, containing pasta, sauce, fruit, vegetables, tuna, cereal and soup -- all for less than seven dollars.

After customers purchase the foods they would like to donate, they can simply place the items in a specially-marked collection cart near checkout. Donors will be invited to place a "Fight Hunger" sticker on each store's front window poster.

The Fight Hunger Food Drive will benefit: The Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast, PA; The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (Harrisburg); The Central Pennsylvania Food Bank (Williamsport); The Maryland Food Bank; The Commission on Economic Opportunity/The Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton); Greater Berks Food Bank (Reading); Philabundance (Montgomery County, PA); Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW)/Broome County Council of Churches; Food Bank of the Southern Tier (Elmira); Northwest Community Action Program NORWESCAP Food Bank (Phillipsburg, NJ); and Mountaineer Food Bank (West Virginia).

More information on the Fight Hunger Food Donation Program and its partner food banks is available on Weis Markets' website at www.weismarkets.com or through Weis Markets Customer Service at (866)999-WEIS.

ABOUT WEIS MARKETS

Founded in 1912, Weis Markets marked its 98th year of continuous operation in May. It currently operates 164 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, New Jersey and West Virginia. For more information about Weis Markets, Inc., please visit www.weismarkets.com or visit Weis Markets' Facebook fan page.

SOURCE Weis Markets, Inc.