Wawa, the renowned convenience retailer, has unveiled its latest community support effort, the ‘Buy a Kids Meal, Make an Impact’ initiative. This new campaign is a part of Wawa’s broader Fly Beyond program, designed to enhance access to nutritious food for underserved communities through partnerships with local Feeding America Food Banks. From March 4 through July 28, Wawa commits to donating a portion of proceeds from every Kids Meal sold to local food banks, aiming to fund approximately 45,000 meals weekly.

Empowering Communities Through Nutrition

Greg Higgerson, Chief Development Officer at Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, highlights the critical need for such programs, noting that one in five children faces the risk of going to bed hungry. The Fly Beyond program, supported by Wawa and The Wawa Foundation, plays a pivotal role in not only providing access to food and snacks but also in promoting healthy eating habits among children by including fresh, nutritious ingredients in their diets. On average, food bank partners can deliver three meals for every dollar donated, underscoring the significant impact of Wawa’s initiative.

Inspiring Goodness and Healthy Conversations

Mary Rose Hannum, Vice President of Food and Beverage at Wawa, expresses excitement over the initiative’s dual benefit. Not only does it offer a convenient and healthy meal option for families on the go, but it also fosters a spirit of community support and awareness about food insecurity. Hannum hopes the initiative will spark meaningful conversations at the dinner table about the importance of helping others and the collective effort required to combat hunger in communities.

Building on a Legacy of Community Support

The Fly Beyond program, initiated by Wawa and The Wawa Foundation, has been at the forefront of fighting food insecurity by increasing access to fresh and nutritious food for underserved youth. Launched in 2023, with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida serving as the initial partner, Fly Beyond aims to connect all Wawa’s efforts against food insecurity under one umbrella to streamline measurement, communication, and solution implementation efforts. This initiative is part of Wawa’s long-standing tradition of community support, dating back to its origins as a dairy farm in the 19th century and its transition to a convenience retail model in 1964.

This initiative is a testament to Wawa’s commitment to not just serving communities through convenience retail but also nurturing them through sustained, impactful social responsibility efforts. By leveraging its vast network of stores and loyal customer base, Wawa sets an inspiring example of how corporations can play a critical role in addressing pressing social challenges like food insecurity. As the ‘Buy a Kids Meal, Make an Impact’ initiative unfolds, it promises not only to feed hungry children but also to sow seeds of compassion and community service across regions, making a lasting difference one meal at a time.