Bills Foundation and Wegmans gather record 70,626 pounds in Huddle for Hunger Week
The Buffalo Bills Foundation and Wegmans collected a record 70,626 pounds of donated food during Huddle for Hunger Week 2026, surpassing last year’s total of 65,107 pounds, the team announced. The effort also generated $205,859 for 20 Huddle for Hunger charities, with $50,000 coming from Wegmans Meals to Go and $155,859 raised through a game-day 50-50 raffle. Organizers said the Western New York community’s contributions and partner support combined to set the new mark.
On Sept. 22, volunteers and the Bills’ 2026 rookie class gathered 17,565 pounds at Highmark Stadium during a community food drive and festival. Corporate and regional contributions included 37,286 pounds from Lactalis, 10,000 pounds from Wegmans, 1,872 pounds from Allen Family Farms and 3,903 pounds collected in Rochester. The combined donations pushed the total to 70,626 pounds, organizers said.
Bills vice president of community impact Michelle Roberts said, “Food insecurity is really real here,” and praised how the community came together. Rookie outside linebacker T.J. Parker said the event allowed him to “embrace the Buffalo people” and highlighted the importance of providing food for shelters. Undrafted rookie wide receiver Ja’Mori Maclin, 25, said it was “a blessing” to take part on his birthday. Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas also attended and said he has participated in the event for several years.
The Huddle for Hunger High School Challenge brought students and local schools together to support the drive. Orchard Park High School finished first and earned a trip inside Highmark Stadium for the game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Frontier High School finished second and received a watch party at the stadium on Oct. 18 for the Week 6 game at the Las Vegas Raiders, and Salamanca High School took third and won Bills prize packs.
NFL Sports Blog Take
The 2026 Huddle for Hunger Week showed measurable growth and broad community engagement, exceeding last year’s total by 5,519 pounds while combining substantial in-kind donations with more than $200,000 in cash support for 20 local charities. Large contributions from Lactalis and Wegmans, plus funds from the game-day 50-50 raffle, demonstrate a multi-source model that can sustain regional hunger-relief efforts. Active participation by the Bills’ rookie class, alumni such as Thurman Thomas and area high schools reinforced the program’s dual goals of immediate food distribution and long-term community involvement.