Landover, Maryland-based Giant Food has donated $765,977 to help address food insecurity among children within the communities it serves. From June 16-Aug. 7, Giant held its new customer giving campaign, “Nourishing Our Youth.”
During the campaign, customers were given the option to round up their grocery purchases to donate to their local public schools’ food programs. One hundred percent of the proceeds were donated to local school districts so they may use the funds to best serve their communities and support meal programs, such as such covering outstanding student meal debt, expanding food distribution programs and building on-campus food pantries.
“We all know that children need nutritious meals to grow, learn and thrive. But too many children across our region struggle to receive a decent meal at lunch when attending school,” said Felis Andrade, director of external communications and community relations at Giant Food.
“Through Giant’s ‘Nourishing Our Youth’ program, we can give much-needed funds to school districts within our region to support their meal programs. We are incredibly grateful to our outstanding customers for their philanthropic support and thrilled to be able to donate these funds to our local school districts.”
According to Feeding America, more than nine million children faced hunger in 2021. Research has also demonstrated that good nutrition and the ability to learn are connected. School food programs are critical to ensuring many children receive regular meals and Giant is continuing to support food insecurity efforts for children throughout its region.
“Christina School District [in Delaware] is beyond excited and thankful to have partnered with Giant Food for the 2022 Nourishing Our Youth Round Up Program,” said Andrea Solge, registered dietitian and child nutrition supervisor.
“Their generosity will assist in the fight against hunger within the Christina School District. There are many benefits to this program, but most importantly, providing increased access to meals by serving free breakfast and lunch daily to our students. Christina School District is grateful for this opportunity and for Giant Food’s support to fight against hunger in our community.”
Funds are being distributed to schools throughout October. Giant Food annually donates more than 4.5 million pounds of food and $1 million in cash contributions to its five Feeding America food bank partners in an effort to eliminate hunger within its region.
For more information about Giant Food and its community giving programs, visit giantfood.com.
