The Giant Co., based in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is donating 10,000 turkeys in advance of Thanksgiving, marking a record donation for this annual holiday season tradition. Bringing the true meaning of the company’s new brand platform For Today’s Table to life, turkeys will be donated to 28 partner food banks across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, ensuring all families are able to celebrate the holiday season with a fulfilling meal. New this year, The Giant Co.’s new Fall Food Drive will encourage its customers to become part of the solution to hunger by donating non-perishable food.
“Every family should be able to celebrate the season gathered around a table, sharing a meal and making lasting memories,” said Nicholas Bertram, president of The Giant Co. “In a time when the rates of people struggling with hunger are on the rise – including an alarming 80 percent increase in food insecurity for children – there’s a greater need for companies like ours to step up their efforts. That’s why in addition to increasing the number of turkeys were donating, we’re announcing a new, chain-wide food drive. We all need to do our part to help our neighbors this holiday season.”
In addition, throughout November, Giant Co. team members will volunteer at 10 food banks, serving families in communities across the company’s footprint. They will spend the day packing hunger relief boxes and organizing and restocking shelves to help the non-profits prepare for the busy holiday season.
“The Giant Co.’s support during the holiday season makes a huge difference,” said Jennifer Brillhart, CEO of York County Food Bank. “We will be busier than ever and thanks to their generous donation of turkeys, we are able to provide complete holiday meals to families in need across York County.”
Fall food drive
Beginning Friday, Nov. 27, and through Dec. 3, all Giant and Martin stores will host a food drive to further stock the shelves of community hunger relief organizations. Customers will find a bin at each store entrance to drop off non-perishable products that will be donated to local food pantries. Customers may donate items from home or purchase the products they wish to donate in the store. Some of the most requested items by food banks include peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna, whole grain pasta, oatmeal and canned soups.
From Nov. 13 through Nov. 26, customers also have the opportunity to donate free turkey certificates at the register in-store or donate 400 Choice points online, for which Giant or Martin’s will make a $10 donation to a local food bank.
“All of our tables will look different as we socially distance this Thanksgiving and holiday season,” said Bertram. “The one constant is that we should all have food on the table – our efforts over the next few weeks are one piece of that puzzle.”
Turkeys will be donated to a variety of non-profit food organizations throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.
Giant and Martin’s team members also will volunteer at the following food banks:
- Blue Ridge Area Food Bank;
- Central PA Food Bank;
- Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank;
- ICCAP;
- Manna on Main St.;
- Maryland Food Bank;
- Philabundance;
- Second Harvest Food Bank;
- West Chester Food Cupboard; and
- York County Food Bank.
