Kristen speaks with Jaime Hynoski, Community Relations & Event Management Specialist at Weis Markets about their efforts to help raise awareness, food and funds for those struggling with food insecurity amid the COVID-19 pandemic. At Weis, they feel a responsibility to not only serve their customers, but to help those in our community that are in need. The company just launched their 13th Annual Fight Hunger campaign. https://www.weismarkets.com/fight-hunger.

Customers are encouraged to give back in a few ways:
* At checkout, round up their grocery order.
* Purchase a $1, $3, $5 or $10 voucher to help support families in need in the community.
* Customers can also pick up a pre-packed Fight Hunger grocery bag for $8. After paying at the register, the bag should be put into the donation barrel.

These customer donations will benefit regional food banks in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Virginia and West Virginia. The regional food banks will use customers’ donations to support their local communities.

Then, Kristen speaks with Amy Shearer, Chief Experience & Marketing Officer at the Philadelphia Zoo about the ways in which the Philadelphia Zoo has adjusted to life during this pandemic. The ongoing Coronavirus pandemic has closed the Philadelphia Zoo to the public for the time being, but staff at the Zoo are doing a great job of caring for the animals and coming up with creative ways to virtually bring the animals into our homes while we’re in quarantine. Hear about Philly Zoo @ 2, a daily program on the Philadelphia Zoo’s Facebook Page connecting viewers with the Zoo’a amazing animals and dedicated staff who care for them.  Tune in each weekday at 2 for a new, live episode of ‘Philly Zoo at 2 on Facebook and meet some of the Zoo’s newest additions. https://www.facebook.com/philadelphiazoo.

The Philadelphia Zoo is also offering an interactive online learning program aimed at students from grades K through 4 called Philly Zoo to You. One of the highlights of this program is the Science@PhillyZoo.org, offering a direct connection with more than 50 Zoo experts who are on hand and prepared to answer any and all science, wildlife and conservation questions within a 24-hour timeframe.

Help support these programs and more by donating to the Zoo’s Spring Back Fund: https://phillyzoo.pivvit.com/donate. They are also offering new Philadelphia Zoo t-shirts to help with the fundraising efforts. https://dsgntree.com/philadelphia-zoo.