Giant kicks off 2024 Healing the Planet grant program

Giant is bringing back its Healing the Planet grant program in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. This year, $100,000 will be awarded to tax-exempt organizations for tree plantings across Giant’s operating areas in Pennsylvania. Eligible projects must be shovel ready and include tree planting and direct costs relating to tree planting. 

“The benefits of a healthy tree canopy are numerous, from absorbing carbon pollution and watershed protection to improving the quality of the air we breathe,” said Courtney Hopcraft, manager of charitable giving and community relations at Giant. “We’re excited to team up with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful again this year to increase the number of trees across Pennsylvania and create greener, healthier communities in the Commonwealth.”

The 2024 Healing the Planet grant program is accepting online applications now through July 1, via the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Eligible expenses include, but are not limited to, trees native to Pennsylvania, equipment, tree signage, tools and supplies. Preference will be given to applications that aim to plant the highest number of trees. Awardees will be announced in August.

[Read more: Giant releases community impact report]

This is the fourth year Giant has partnered with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful to offer Healing the Planet grants. In the past three years, more than $1.1 million has been awarded to 110 recipients for projects which connected people and families to green spaces, improved or helped to protect local waterways and water resources and supported projects that addressed food waste prevention, reduction and recovery.

“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful is excited to offer funds to help communities across Pennsylvania plant native trees. Beautifying communities tends to reduce littering and other illegal behaviors, making it a better place for all residents and providing a foundation for community and economic development,” said Shannon Reiter, president of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “We are honored to continue our partnership with The Giant Company. We also want to thank all of you who ‘rounded up’ at the register. Your generosity will directly impact your local community.”

[Read more: Giant releases 2nd annual community impact report]