CARLISLE, Pa. – The GIANT Co.’s Feeding School Kids initiative, in partnership with the retailer’s customers, raised more than $1.3 million to combat hunger throughout the local public school districts in the communities it serves. The amount was formally announced Monday in Altoona, Pa., where the company presented the Altoona Area School District with a donation of more than $11,000 and nearly 1,300 snack items.

“The GIANT Company is grounded in its purpose of connecting families for a better future and eliminating hunger – particularly childhood hunger – is essential to turning our purpose into action,” said Jessica Groves, the company’s community impact manager. “Young minds cannot grow and learn on an empty stomach, and the Feeding School Kids initiative helps ensure a brighter future for our youth through food. Together, in partnership with our customers, we continue to connect school kids to vital nutrition, helping the learners of today grow into the leaders of tomorrow.”

From January 1 through the end of February, customers at GIANT, MARTIN’S and GIANT Heirloom Market stores were invited to round up their grocery purchases to the nearest dollar or convert their CHOICE reward points into a donation to support their local public school districts’ food programs. The GIANT Company also donated $250,000 to the program. Through the Feeding School Kids initiative, school districts can use funds to support meal programs such as covering outstanding student meal debt, expanding food distribution programs, creating on-campus food pantries, and supplying extra weekend meals.

“Altoona Area School District is truly overwhelmed by the generosity of The GIANT Company and its customers,” said Susan Franks, the district’s director of business operations. “Feeding School Kids funds will help feed our students, and in return, help them learn and grow, providing a lasting impact for years to come. Thank you to GIANT and our community members for showing kindness and encouragement to our students and their families by supporting Feeding School Kids; it is truly making a difference.”

The top 15 public school districts receiving funds from the Feeding School Kids initiative are:

• The School District of Philadelphia, Pa. – $116,330
• West Chester Area School District, Exton, Pa. – $39,823
• Washington County Public Schools, Hagerstown, Md. – $23,896
• North Penn School District, Lansdale, Pa. – $20,679
• Frederick County Public Schools, Winchester, Va. – $20,227
• Berkeley County School District, Martinsburg, W.Va. – $18,746
• Central Dauphin School District, Harrisburg, Pa. – $18,610
• Central Bucks School District, Doylestown, Pa. – $18,407
• Bethlehem Area School District, Bethlehem, Pa. – $17,062
• The School District of Haverford Township, Havertown, Pa. – $17,051
• State College Area School District, State College, Pa. – $15,660
• Carlisle Area School District, Carlisle, Pa. – $15,420
• Winchester Public Schools, Winchester, Va. – $15,408
• Centennial School District, Warminster, Pa. – $14,801
• Allentown School District, Allentown, Pa. – $14,137

Funds donated by customers benefitted the local public school district in the community in which they were given. The GIANT Company’s matching funds were awarded based on need, as determined by the percentage of students in the district who receive free or reduced meals.

More information on The GIANT Company’s Feeding School Kids initiative is available here.