23-04-2025
GIANT Company and customers raise $1.2 million to combat student hunger
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ) — A familiar trip to the grocery store recently became a lifeline for thousands of students as the GIANT Company and its customers teamed up to raise more than $1.2 million to help fight food insecurity in public schools.
Through its Feeding School Kids initiative, GIANT invited customers from Jan. 1 through March 31 to round up their purchases or donate CHOICE points to support local public school meal programs. The company also contributed $100,000 of its own to the effort.
The funds raised will support a variety of student-focused food programs, from clearing lunch debt and stocking food pantries to providing weekend meal bags and supporting school gardens. Schools in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia are among the beneficiaries, including State College Area School District, which received more than $17,000.
In total, 15 districts received top-level funding through the initiative. Among the highest were Washington County Public Schools in Maryland, West Chester Area School District in Pennsylvania and Frederick County Public Schools in Virginia.
Funds donated by customers stayed within their communities. At the same time, GIANT's corporate donation was distributed based on district need, then determined by the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price meals.
Since launching the initiative five years ago, GIANT has raised more than $8.5 million to support students' nutritional needs and academic success.
The company's effort comes as studies continue to show a strong link between proper nutrition and student learning outcomes.
For more information, visit The GIANT Company's hunger relief site.
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