Giant awards $500K to local nonprofits in honor of 100th anniversary challenge
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, on Oct. 4, Giant awarded a total of $500,000 to 20 local non-profits as part of its Make a Difference Challenge. The challenge was designed to honor Giant’s legacy of giving back by supporting non-profit organizations whose work has a direct impact on creating a future that promotes healthier people and a healthier planet.
“Our community partners have always played a crucial role in making a difference in the local communities The Giant Co. has served for the past 100 years,” said John Ruane, president of Giant. “To recognize and to help move their projects forward is truly an honor, as together, we can help create healthier communities. Congratulations to the Make a Difference Challenge recipients, we can’t wait to see your aspirations become reality!”
[Read more: Giant releases community impact report]
Giant’s Make a Difference Challenge recipients include:
- Beacon Clinic for Health and Hope, Harrisburg, Pa.
- Chipping Hill Micro Farms, Blue Bell, Pa.
- Cocoa Packs, Hershey, Pa.
- Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern Pa., Philadelphia, Pa.
- Jana Marie Foundation, State College, Pa.
- Martha’s Choice Marketplace at Catholic Social Services, Norristown, Pa.
- New Hope Ministries, Dillsburg, Pa.
- NW Works, Winchester, Va.
- Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley, Allentown, Pa.
- Penn State Health, Hershey, Pa.
- Power Packs Project, Lancaster, Pa.
- Ronald McDonald House of Danville, Inc., Danville, Pa.
- Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, Lancaster, Pa.
- Share Food Program, Philadelphia, Pa.
- The Caring Cupboard, Palmyra, Pa.
- The Food Dignity Project, Forty Fort, Pa.
- The Salvation Army of Carlisle, Carlisle, Pa.
- Sharing Excess, Philadelphia, Pa.
- West Chester Area Senior Center, West Chester, Pa.
- York County Food Bank, York, Pa.
“A core value of The Caring Cupboard has always been innovation. As we look to offer additional possibilities to increase food access to our friends and neighbors, the Make a Difference Challenge allowed our team to dream a little,” said Shila Ulrich, executive director of The Caring Cupboard. “We are so humbled and honored the Make a Difference Challenge selected us as a finalist, as funds will be used to roll out a new mobile and delivery service to those who lack access to our facility. The Giant Co. is a shining example of what good can occur when collaboration happens – from food donations to this opportunity – and we’re so thankful.”
[Read more: Giant kicks off free virtual classes in October]
Giant awarded additional honorary awards at the event: the People’s Choice Award, selected by the live audience, went to Chipping Hill Micro Farms; New Hope Ministries earned the Online Voter’s Choice Award and Giant’s leadership team selected Sharing Excess for the Giant Impact Award.
More than 75 non-profit organizations located in Giant’s footprint submitted a proposal outlining how their unique program would enhance their community and the lives of those they serve. The final monetary awards were determined from a mix of online voting and live presentations to a panel of judges.