While we are slowly returning to normalcy following the pandemic, food insecurity continues to be an issue affecting many struggling families.

This month, Price Chopper-Market 32 stores are teaming up with the American Dairy Association to provide fresh milk to those families through local food banks. It's called the "Fill A Glass With Hope" campaign.

If you're at a Price Chopper-Market 32 store this month you're encouraged to round up your change to the nearest dollar and donate it when you're checking out.

Summer is a difficult time for many families to provide their children with fresh nutritious milk.

The American Dairy Association says more than 18 million children nationwide lose access to free and reduced-price meals at schools during the summer.

Donations will help go to pay for milk which will go directly to food banks and then distributed to local pantries.

"Summer time we traditionally see a lot of children who are receiving support at school or after school programs, start to spend more time at home, and that always is an economic impact on families.  So, they're spending more money on food," said Food Bank of Central New York Chief Operations Officer Brian McManus.

You can round up your change at any Price Chopper-Market 32 store.

In our area, you can primarily find several stores in the Mohawk Valley with others in the Syracuse, Oswego and the Binghamton areas. Fill A Glass With Hope is a campaign that has been held in June the last seven years as part of American Dairy Month. ​

Since this program began in 2015, more than $170,000 has been raised to purchase milk for families in need. That has resulted in more than 35,000 gallons of milk being donated to local food banks.

All donations will stay local to provide milk to stock the nearest food pantries in need.