Giant/Martin’s Feeds Needy During Hunger Action Month

In observance of Hunger Action Month in September, Giant Food Stores and Martin's Food Markets are inviting customers to help them fight hunger in the Ahold USA banners’ surrounding communities. Throughout the month, Giant/Martin’s-sponsored food drives and hunger awareness initiatives will aid regional Feeding America food banks.

From Aug. 31 through Sept. 13, the grocery chain's annual Bag Hunger in-store campaign gives customers the chance to donate $1 at checkout to benefit local food banks. Those who donate will get a free Unilever product coupon book. A similar campaign that ran earlier this year at the banners raised a record-breaking $607,035 for local hunger relief.

Unilever Partnership

Also in partnership with Unilever, a Sept. 6 Stuff-A-Truck event will take place at a Havertown, Pa., Giant store, at which participants can help pack a local food bank truck to the brim with canned and nonperishable food items. Further, for each flu shot the banners' pharmacies administer this year, Englewood Cliffs, N.J.-based Unilever will donate three meals to Feeding America.

Additionally, since 2010, Giant/Martin's Meat the Needs frozen meat donation program has given to regional food banks more than 3 million pounds of meat that would have otherwise gone unsold.

"While Hunger Action Month is a time to raise both funds and awareness for local food banks, it's important to remember that there is a need every month of the year," noted John MacDonald, the banners' director of marketing and external communications. "Too many in our local communities go hungry, which is why as part of our ongoing better-neighbor efforts, Giant/Martin's remains committed to the fight against hunger through the donation of food, funds and volunteer time."

In 2013, hunger relief efforts and donations to regional food banks accounted for about 40 percent of the chains' community giving, with more than 100 regional food banks and local pantries receiving $10 million in product, customer, vendor and corporate donations.

Carlisle, Pa.-based Giant-Martin's operates almost 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.