To mark World Milk Day and kick off National Dairy Month, Weis Markets teamed up with the PA Dairymen’s Association, Feeding Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Dairy Promotion Program, and American Dairy Association North East for a celebration at its Selinsgrove, PA store—spotlighting the importance of dairy in local communities and launching the 10th annual Fill A Glass With Hope® campaign.
As part of the festivities, Weis Markets donated $5,000 in fresh milk to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, supporting its Harrisburg and Williamsport locations. Vendor partners, including Kraft, General Mills, Lactalis American Group, Chobani, Danone, and Flora-Upfield, also joined the cause, contributing $55,000 to kick off the campaign and help provide milk to families in need. Customers, associates, and guests were treated to a visit from the PA Dairymen’s “Milkshakes On The Moo-ve” truck, adding a sweet finish to a meaningful day.
Throughout the month of June, Weis Markets customers in Pennsylvania can join in the movement to end hunger by rounding up their grocery payments at checkout. Donations to the Fill A Glass With Hope campaign will be distributed to the following local food banks to purchase fresh milk from local producers: Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, Philabundance, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank.
“Weis Markets is committed to supporting our local communities, and fighting food insecurity is critical to this vision,” said Maria Rizzo, Weis Markets Vice President of Marketing and Advertising. “As a local company, we take great pride in partnering with neighboring organizations to ensure our local community members have access to fresh, nutritious milk. We’re so thankful for the incredible partners and customers who help make our Fill A Glass With Hope campaign possible. Together, we’re making sure families in our communities have access to the food they need.”
The event featured special appearances from two-time Super Bowl Champion and former NFL quarterback (Pittsburgh Steelers) Charlie Batch; Pennsylvania Deputy Secretary for Animal Health and Food Safety Lisa Graybeal; Pennsylvania Dairy Royalty; local dairy farmer Dana Zug, of Zugstead Farm in Mifflintown, PA; Executive Director of PA Dairymen’s Association, Dave Smith; representatives from Kraft, General Mills, Lactalis American Group, Chobani, Danone, and Flora-Upfield; and representatives from Feeding Pennsylvania.
“Our dairy farmers are dedicated to providing fresh milk to our neighbors in need and are proud to support Fill A Glass With Hope with our partners and food banks,” said Dave Smith, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association. “We are grateful to Weis Markets for their Dairy Month Campaign and for their leadership to help us make sure all Pennsylvanians have access to delicious and nutritious milk.”
“The dairy farmers I represent care deeply about ensuring that all families have access to fresh milk and dairy products, which is why we started Fill A Glass with Hope more than 10 years ago,” said John Chrisman, CEO, American Dairy Association North East. “Weis Markets has been instrumental in the program’s success. Because of their support, we’ve been able to provide 47 million servings of milk to people in need.”
“Access to fresh, local milk through initiatives like Fill a Glass with Hope is a game-changer for families facing hunger, providing vital nutrition that truly transforms lives,” said Lauren Duff, Chief Public Affairs Officer at Feeding Pennsylvania. “We are grateful to our dedicated partners and sponsors whose generosity makes it possible to deliver Pennsylvania-produced milk to our charitable food system. This critical support isn’t just about feeding our neighbors; it’s a powerful investment in local agriculture, strengthening our economies while ensuring every Pennsylvanian has access to wholesome food.”
Milk is one of the most requested items at food banks but one of the least donated due to perishability. Without milk, it is difficult to get the recommended essential nutrients for a healthy diet, especially for children. Milk is the top source of calcium, potassium, and Vitamin D in the American diet—nutrients critical to development and growth in children.