The Giant Co. is donating 3,000 hams to 14 hunger relief organizations across Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, with team member volunteers also scheduled to staff food bank operations over the coming weeks.
The donation targets protein access — an item frequently in short supply at food pantries — ahead of the spring holiday season.
Recipient organizations span the grocer’s four-state footprint and include the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in Verona, Virginia; Central Pennsylvania Food Bank in Harrisburg; Helping Harvest Fresh Food Bank in Reading; Lancaster County Food Hub; Maryland Food Bank in Hagerstown; Philabundance in Philadelphia; and York County Food Bank, among others.
Courtney Hopcraft, manager of community relations and strategic partnerships at The Giant Co., said the donation is designed to address a specific nutritional gap.
“Protein is the heart of a nutritious meal, and every family deserves that. With this donation, we are delivering that essential protein to help our local hunger relief partners ensure families have this key center of the plate item for their weeknight dinners or special celebrations,” Hopcraft said.
Jay Worrall, president of Helping Harvest, said the timing and consistency of The Giant Co.’s support distinguishes it from one-time donors.
“We are so grateful to The Giant Co. for their donation of 200 hams ahead of the spring holidays. This donation comes at a time when too many of our neighbors are struggling with food insecurity, and these hams will help put meals on many tables,” Worrall said.
“Additionally, we appreciate The Giant Co.’s commitment to regular volunteering. Whether distributing food at a Mobile Market or packing food at our warehouse, their team members bring positivity and commitment every time they join us.”
Customers donations
Giant and Martin’s customers can contribute through April 5 by donating their free ham certificates at the register, redirecting the value to a local food bank. Details on the ham redemption program are available at giantfoodstores.com/pages/free-ham.
The Giant Co. operates nearly 200 stores across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia and is a subsidiary of Ahold Delhaize USA.
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