Giant-Landover Is Once Again a Good Neighbor

Giant Food LLC is rolling out its 24th annual Good Neighbor Food and Funds Drive to assist five regional food banks this holiday season. The annual hunger relief program, taking place at all 173 Giant Food Stores from Oct. 28 through Nov. 20, enables shoppers to help needy families by donating nonperishable food items or by making a monetary contribution of $1, $5 or $10 at checkout.

Some of the food banks’ most-needed items include canned meats, peanut butter, pasta, pasta sauce, macaroni and cheese, instant potatoes, rice, dry beans, dry cereal and oatmeal, canned fruits and vegetables, and 100 percent fruit juice. Customers who donate $10 at Baltimore-area stores will receive a Ravens tailgating reusable bag, while those who make a $10 donation at all other stores will get a Giant reusable bag.
 

“Over the course of our 75-year history, Giant has remained committed to alleviating hunger in our community, and we have a long history of raising awareness about hunger during the holiday months,” said Anthony Hucker, president of Landover, Md.-based Giant Food, a division of Ahold USA. “Through the Good Neighbor Food and Funds Drive, we are working to make a difference and helping people in our region keep food on their tables.”

Following the 2010 drive, Giant donated more than $253,000 to the Capital Area Food Bank, Maryland Food Bank, Fredericksburg Area Food Bank, Food Bank of Delaware, and the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, providing more than 750,000 meals to the needy. The grocer hopes to surpass those milestones this year.

In addition to the food and funds drive, the 10th annual Giant “Stuff-A-Truck” will take place at four Washington-area stores on Dec. 2 to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. During September, Hunger Action Month, Giant Food hosted three “Stuff-A-Truck” events in Charlottesville, Va.; Bear, Del.; and Fredericksburg, Va., stores to benefit the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Food Bank of Delaware and the Fredericksburg Area Food Bank, resulting in the donation of more than 12,000 pounds of food.

Giant Food operates supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, employing about 22,000 associates.