Wegmans Food Markets recently announced it is pledging $4 million to support partner food banks during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

Wegmans has been a community partner with Foodlink for more than four decades, offering critical support through Check Out Hunger, sponsorship of Foodlink fundraisers, support of key programs such as the Foodlink Career Fellowship, and, of course, millions of pounds of food donated annually. Foodlink will receive $700,000 of the $4 million total.

“At times like these, everyone is called on to come together and support one another,” Wegmans said in a statement on its website. “One of our highest giving priorities is providing food for people at risk of hunger. The best way to do this is by supporting local food banks that can provide food directly to people in need. Given the unknown duration and overall impact of this crisis, Wegmans is donating $4 million spread across all our partner food banks. We will continue to support our partners and adapt as needed.”

Foodlink is in its third week of increased distribution of meals for school-aged kids in Rochester, and emergency food supply boxes for households throughout its 10-county service area. The short-term costs of the immediate response it expected to exceed $2 million.

“It’s no surprise to us that Wegmans has gone above and beyond to help feed our neighbors — and support our partner food banks — during these uncertain times,” said Julia Tedesco, President & CEO of Foodlink. “Their $700,000 donation to Foodlink will help us quickly respond to the rising need by nourishing children with healthy meals daily, and providing tens of thousands of emergency food boxes to seniors and food-insecure households throughout our region.”