The Tri-State area is preparing for a massive coordinated effort to combat food insecurity as the Feeding Our Families food drive returns Sat., April 25. Hosted by NBC 4 New York, Telemundo 47, and Stop & Shop, the one-day event aims to provide critical support to families struggling with rising costs of living and food instability across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
This multi-state call-to-action will take place from 8 AM to 8 PM at approximately 180 Stop & Shop locations. Community members are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items and personal hygiene products, which will be distributed through eight regional Feeding America food banks to ensure neighbors in demand have access to basic necessities.
The initiative arrives at a critical time for regional food banks. While many charitable drives peak during the winter holiday season, the eight participating food banks typically experience their highest demand between January and September. By anchoring the campaign in April, the organizers aim to bridge the gap during a period when resources often dwindle but the need remains acute.
Beyond the one-day event, Stop & Shop is offering customers the opportunity to “round up” their grocery bills to the nearest dollar at the register. These small contributions accumulate to provide significant financial support for local food banks throughout the campaign leading up to the April 25 event.
Supporting the Tri-State Food Bank Network
The Feeding Our Families / Alimentando a Nuestras Familias campaign is designed to support a broad network of hunger-relief organizations. The donations collected during the drive will benefit the following eight regional food banks:
- Community FoodBank of New Jersey
- Connecticut Foodshare
- Feeding Westchester
- Food Bank for New York City
- Food Bank of the Hudson Valley
- Fulfill Food Bank
- Island Harvest Food Bank
- Long Island Cares Food Bank
The scale of this partnership is significant. In 2025 alone, Stop & Shop donated over $2 million in cash contributions to these eight partners according to campaign records. This financial commitment is supplemented by the company’s School Food Pantry Program, which currently supports more than 280 school food pantries across its entire footprint, including over 170 within the Tri-State area.
How to Participate and What to Donate
Participants can contribute by visiting any of the nearly 180 participating Stop & Shop locations and placing items in clearly labeled collection bins. In addition to physical goods, on-site financial donations to local food banks are also accepted.
Organizers emphasize that non-perishable food and personal hygiene items are the most needed. Specifically, frequently requested items such as baby diapers are highlighted as high-priority needs. For those seeking a specific “shopping list” of the most requested items, detailed guides are available at NBCNewYork.com/fooddrive and telemundo47.com/ayuda.
The operational success of the drive relies heavily on community spirit; traditionally, more than 1,000 volunteers support the effort across the store network. Past iterations of the campaign have demonstrated the power of this collective action, having raised over $600,000 in donations for local food banks since the program’s inception in 2017.
The Economic Context of Food Insecurity
The urgency of this year’s drive is underscored by broader economic pressures. Eric Lerner, President and General Manager of NBC 4 New York/WNBC and Telemundo 47/WNJU, noted that rising costs and high fuel prices have increased the importance of the Feeding Our Families food drive returns Sat., April 25, as more families find it challenging to afford basic nutrition.
This trend is mirrored in recent regional events. For instance, on October 31, 2025, the CEO of Feeding America stressed the critical need for support as SNAP cuts loomed during a luncheon in New Jersey. Such systemic pressures make the bridge-funding and food supplies provided by the April drive essential for maintaining the stability of the regional food safety net.
Key Takeaways for Donors
- Date and Time: Saturday, April 25, from 8 AM to 8 PM.
- Locations: Nearly 180 Stop & Shop stores across the Tri-State area.
- Accepted Items: Non-perishable foods, personal hygiene products, and baby diapers.
- Alternative Giving: “Round up” at the register or make on-site financial donations.
- Impact: Supports eight Feeding America regional food banks across NY, NJ, and CT.
The next confirmed checkpoint for the community is the food drive event itself on Saturday, April 25. Residents are encouraged to visit the official campaign websites to find the collection site closest to them.
We invite our readers to share this information with their local networks to facilitate maximize the reach of this hunger-relief effort. Please share your thoughts or experiences with local food banks in the comments below.