Hy-Vee Inc. recently announced its commitment to delivering much-needed milk to local food banks in its eight-state region by partnering with The Great American Milk Drive throughout the month of March, according to a press release.

During the month-long campaign, every Hy-Vee store will offer customers the opportunity to donate $2 toward the purchase of a half-gallon of milk, or $4 toward the purchase of a gallon of milk when they check out. At the end of the month, all donations will be used to purchase milk from area processors to be distributed to local food banks.

In partnership with Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, MilkPEP and the National Dairy Council, The Great American Milk Drive campaign unites and enables the nation’s food banks, processors, retailers and consumers to ensure milk and its essential nutrients, including high-quality protein, are provided to families who need it most, according to a press release. Last March, donations from Hy-Vee customers over a two-week period supplied more than 120,000 gallons of milk.

“Hy-Vee is expanding its participation in The Great American Milk Drive to the entire month of March this year to provide even more assistance to help alleviate hunger,” said Jeremy Gosch, executive vice president, co-chief operating officer and chief marketing officer. “Through the generosity of our customers, and with participation from all of Hy-Vee’s 246 stores, our goal is to increase donations and make nutritious milk available to those in need.”

According to Feeding America, there are nearly five million food insecure people in Hy-Vee’s eight-state region, and milk is one of the most requested — yet least available  — items in food banks across the nation. Food bank clients receive less than one gallon of milk per person, per year.

“The Great American Milk Drive offers us all an opportunity to make a meaningful impact for local families throughout our eight-state region,” Gosch said.