One in six Americans go hungry every day, according to Feeding America. Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets are asking for customers to help “Bag Hunger” during September’s Hunger Action Month.
Customers can donate $1 at the checkout at their local Giant or Martin’s during the annual Bag Hunger in-store campaign, which runs Sept. 6-19. A similar campaign held earlier this year raised a record-breaking $640,297 to support local hunger relief efforts.
“The fight against hunger is an everyday battle, and for most it hits too close to home as many families and children go without a meal,” said Tom Lenkevich, Giant/Martin’s president. “We’re so proud that our customers take action with us as we combat hunger every September during Hunger Action Month. Together we can win the fight against hunger in our communities.”
Knowing that high-protein meat is most needed by hungry families and is often in short supply, Giant/Martin’s also continues to provide meat that would otherwise go unsold to regional food bank partners through its Meat the Needs program. Since 2010, more than three million pounds of meat have been donated to local communities from all Giant/Martin’s locations.
In 2014, hunger relief efforts and donations to regional food banks accounted for approximately 45 percent of Giant/Martin’s community giving with more than 100 regional food banks and local pantries receiving $12.2 million in product, customer, vendor and corporate donations. Regional food banks that benefit from Giant/Martin’s support include the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Philabundance, Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley, FeedMore-Central Virginia Food Bank, Food Bank of Western Maryland, Greater Berks County Food Bank, Water Street Rescue Mission in Lancaster, Food Resources of Washington County, Maryland, as well as the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank in Virginia.
