Giant/Martin’s Donated $27M in 2014

Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets’ collective charitable donations for 2014 came to $27 million in combined cash and product contributions from customers, vendors and associates. The Ahold USA banners are committed to aiding organizations in their stores’ surrounding communities that help eradicate hunger and improve children’s quality of life.

"These are extraordinary results that reflect the deep heritage and commitment our associates have to helping our neighbors," said Giant/Martin’s President Tom Lenkevich.

In 2014 donations to regional food bank partners and local pantries made up 45 percent, or $12.2 million, of the banners' overall donations. Of the total hunger-related donation amount, around 86 percent came from safe consumable food donations like frozen meat and bakery items to regional food bank partners. Under the "Meat the Needs" program, Giant/Martin’s freezes meat that would otherwise go unsold, but is still safe to eat, and gives it to regional food bank partners. Last year, more than 1 million pounds of meat were donated through the program.

Giant/Martin’s helped fund medical care, research and preventive education at local Children's Miracle Network (CMN) Hospitals, raising a total of $3.5 million in 2014. Since 1996, Giant/Martin's has donated more than $37 million to local CMN hospitals, making the banners one of the organization’s top fundraisers.

Through the A+ School Rewards program, more than 2,000 public and private schools received a total of $3 million during the 2013-14 school year to pay for scholarship programs, technology equipment and other educational needs. Since the program kicked off in 2005, more than $19 million has gone to area schools.

Additional support went to members of the armed services, with $560,000 raised through the annual Support Our Troops campaign, which benefits regional USOs and the Wounded Warrior Project. Giant/Martin's also contributed more than $7.7 million to community groups and various nonprofit organizations throughout its market area.

Based in Carlisle, Pa., Giant/Martin’s operates nearly 200 grocery stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, under the Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets banners, employing more than 31,000 associates.