Giant announces hunger relief efforts ahead of holiday season

To help families in need enjoy a holiday meal, Giant is announcing donations of $160,000 and 3,000 hams to organizations addressing food insecurity in their local communities.

“In celebration of Giving Tuesday, The Giant Company is launching our season of giving efforts, which are centered around ongoing hunger relief in our local communities,” said Jennifer Scott, vice president of human resources at Giant. “While food banks, food pantries, and Salvation Army locations are focused on the fight against hunger year-round, the need is most felt this time of the year. No family should have to go without a holiday meal.”

Giant donated $100,000 to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in support of its hunger relief efforts. This gift will help the food bank provide 400,000 meals to neighbors experiencing hunger its 27-county service region in Pennsylvania. 

[Read more: Giant releases community impact report]

The food bank is now providing food assistance to over 250,000 individuals each month. This includes individuals, families, active duty and veterans via its MilitaryShare program, seniors via its ElderShare program and youth via its in-school, after-school and summer programs. 

"On this Giving Tuesday, a national day dedicated to generosity, we are deeply grateful to The Giant Company for their extraordinary gift of $100,000 and 500 hams. This generous donation will provide much-needed support to our neighbors facing hunger across the 27 counties we serve,” said Joe Arthur, CEO of Central Pennsylvania Food Bank. “As we reflect on the spirit of giving, this partnership reminds us that together, we can make a lasting impact and bring hope to those in need."

Additionally, Giant is supporting The Salvation Army’s holiday hunger relief programs by donating $5,000 to 12 Salvation Army locations for a total donation of $60,000. Recipient Salvation Army locations in Pennsylvania include: Boyertown, Carlisle, Chambersburg, East Stroudsburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, Levittown, Norristown, Philadelphia, Sunbury and also the Winchester, Va. location.

"We are thankful to The Giant Company for its generous support in our ongoing efforts to address food insecurity across Eastern Pennsylvania, especially during the holiday season," said Lt. Colonel Larry Ashcraft, Divisional Commander for The Salvation Army Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Division. "For too many of our neighbors, access to nutritious food is a daily struggle, which can feel even heavier during the holidays. With Giant's partnership, we can bring relief to families experiencing life's most challenging circumstances, helping them experience the warmth, hope, and joy the holiday season has to offer."

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Lastly, to ensure families have a holiday staple at their table, Giant is contributing 3,000 hams to 15 food banks and pantries across its operating area this month, including the following hunger relief partners:

• Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Staunton, Va.
• Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Harrisburg, Pa.
• Chester County Food Bank, Exton, Pa.
• CityTeam Chester, Springfield, Pa.
• Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank, Reading, Pa.
• Indiana County Community Action Program, Indiana, Pa.
• Lancaster County Food Hub, Lancaster, Pa.
• Manna on Main Street, Wales, Pa.
• Maryland Food Bank, Hagerstown, Md.
• New Britain Baptist Church, New Britain, Pa.
• Philabundance, Philadelphia, Pa.
• Second Harvest Food Bank, Nazareth, Pa.
• Shelter Services, Lewistown, Pa.
• York County Food Bank, Manchester, Pa.
• Vincent DePaul, Fairless Hills, Pa.

Customers also can join Giant to make a difference this holiday season. From Dec. 6 through Dec. 24, customers at any Giant, Martin’s or Giant Heirloom Market store can donate free ham certificates at the register in-store to a local food bank. In addition, customers can purchase reusable bags to benefit regional food banks.