Dollar Tree Marks 40th Year With $40M Commitment Along With 9,500th Store

This week’s roundup of charitable activities includes a couple of grocery-adjacent businesses – dollar stores and convenience stores – as well as mainstream grocers. Leading off is Dollar Tree’s $40 million anniversary commitment.

Dollar Tree: $40M Impact Fund and 9,500th store

Dollar Tree is marking its 40th anniversary with the opening of its 9,500th store in Suffolk, Virginia, and a $40 million investment through the newly established Dollar Tree Impact Fund of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation. The fund will focus on access to essentials, economic opportunity and thriving communities, carried out through national nonprofit partners, more than 400 community impact projects and a new Kindness Grant Program directed by associates.

“Forty years ago, Dollar Tree started right here in Hampton Roads with a simple promise to deliver unbeatable value, convenience and thrill-of-the-hunt discovery. Today, 9,500 stores later, that promise is stronger than ever,” said Mike Creedon, CEO of Dollar Tree. “We’re proud to build on our legacy with a $40 million investment in the people and places that have been part of our story.”

The 9,500th store, at 6150 College Drive in Suffolk, is a homecoming for the Chesapeake, Virginia-based retailer, which began in Norfolk. To mark the milestone, more than 100 associates will join Keep Suffolk Beautiful for a community cleanup.

Hannaford: $850K for campus food pantries

Hannaford Supermarkets is providing more than $850,000 through its Fuel Kids at School initiative to strengthen food access at as many as 60 college campuses in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. Funding will support expanded refrigeration and pantry storage, keypad food lockers, mobile distribution and pantry renovations; an estimated 41 percent of college students experience food insecurity.

“For students pursuing a college degree, access to nutritious food shouldn’t stand in the way of their success,” said Sara Olson, community impact manager at Hannaford. “By investing in the infrastructure behind these programs, Hannaford is helping to expand food access and ensure students and communities thrive.”

Recipients include the Foundation for Maine’s Community Colleges, covering all seven of the state’s community colleges, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York’s Campus Pantry Program and universities throughout the five states. Since 2019, Fuel Kids at School has opened more than 200 school-based pantries.

Parker’s Kitchen: record $617K golf tournament

Parker’s Kitchen raised a record $617,000 at its 14th annual Fueling the Community Charity Golf Tournament, held Oct. 19 at The Landings in Savannah, Georgia, to support schools in the communities it serves in Georgia and South Carolina. Nearly 300 golfers participated in the sold-out tournament, which exceeded its $550,000 goal and last year’s record of $530,000.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our company’s 50th anniversary than to raise a record total at this year’s Fueling the Community Golf Tournament,” said Greg Parker, founder and executive chairman of Parker’s Kitchen, which is based in Savannah. “Education uplifts communities and prepares students for future success, which is why education serves as the foundation of our charitable giving.”

Including this year’s proceeds, the convenience retailer’s Fueling the Community program, which donates a portion of gas sold on the first Wednesday of each month, has raised more than $4 million for schools since 2011.

Wegmans: Check Out Hunger campaign returns

Wegmans Food Markets’ annual Check Out Hunger scan campaign runs Oct. 21-Nov. 28, with customers able to donate any amount at checkout and 100 percent of proceeds benefiting each store’s local Feeding America food bank. Since its inception more than 30 years ago, the campaign has raised more than $58 million; in 2025, Wegmans donated 36.8 million pounds of food, and customers contributed more than $4.7 million through its scan campaigns.

“Year after year, our customers and employees demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to helping their neighbors in need,” said Deana Percassi, Wegmans VP of community engagement and communications. “Every contribution helps ensure more individuals and families have access to the food they need.”

The Giant Company: $250K grants 20 wishes

The Giant Company is continuing its support of Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware & Susquehanna Valley with a $250,000 donation that will grant 20 wishes for local children with critical illnesses.

Giant stores in the region will host one-hour, in-store celebrations honoring local wish children, with scavenger hunts and community gatherings.

“Knowing we’re able to help bring moments of happiness and hope to children and families facing critical illnesses when they need it most is incredibly meaningful to our entire team,” said Rebecca Lupfer, chief merchant at The Giant Company and chair of the 2027 Evening of Wishes.

Schnucks: Pink Out Weekend for Pink Ribbon Good

Schnucks customers at all 112 stores can purchase pink ribbons at checkout for $1 each Oct. 23-25, with 100 percent of sales benefiting Pink Ribbon Good, which provides free healthy meals, rides to treatment, cleaning essentials and peer support to people battling breast cancer in the St. Louis region. Teammates are encouraged to wear pink as part of the company’s Pink Out Weekend.

“Schnucks was one of PRG’s first partners in the St. Louis area, and we’re beyond grateful for the continued support,” said Heather Salazar, president and CEO of Pink Ribbon Good. “Because of the generosity of Schnucks shoppers, we’ll be able to provide real support, right away, to many more just starting their own breast cancer journeys.”

Kroger: tree giveaway in Southwest Atlanta

Kroger’s Atlanta Division, Trees Atlanta and the Arbor Day Foundation will distribute 100 trees, including plums, persimmons, figs and native canopy species, at a community giveaway Oct. 23 at Rosa L. Burney Park in Atlanta, funded by The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation.

“When someone picks up and plants a tree on Oct. 23, it will foster a smile and contribute to a healthier environment for generations to come,” said Tammie Young-Ennaemba, corporate affairs manager for Kroger’s Atlanta Division.