Giant donates turkeys to charity

A total of 7,000 turkeys given to 13 food banks across company's footprint

CARLISLE >> In what has become an annual tradition; Giant Food Stores has donated 7,000 turkeys to 13 food banks across the region. The 2019 turkey donation will help provide Thanksgiving dinner for those in need.

The annual turkey donation is “more than a tradition,” according to John Ponnett, senior vice president of retail operations for Giant Food Stores.

“We are especially grateful to work with our food bank partners to serve those in need throughout our community, during the Thanksgiving season and throughout year, and we applaud them for their relentless efforts to eliminate hunger.” — John Ponnett, senior vice president of retail operations for Giant Food Stores

“We are especially grateful to work with our food bank partners to serve those in need throughout our community, during the Thanksgiving season and throughout year, and we applaud them for their relentless efforts to eliminate hunger,” Ponnett said in a press release.

A total of 13 food banks across Giant’s footprint received turkey donations, including five in this region. They are: the Chester County Food Bank in Exton; Family and Community Services of Delaware County; Manna on Main Street in Lansdale, Helping Harvest in Berks County; and Philabundance in Philadelphia. Donations

were also made to food banks in Virginia and Maryland.

In addition to the turkey donation, Giant team members spent Tuesday, Nov. 5 volunteering, organizing and restocking shelves, helping partner food banks in advance of the holiday season.

Giant customers also have the opportunity to join the effort by donating their free turkey certificate — earned by shopping with their BonusCard — to a local regional food bank. The donation can be made either online or at any Giant store.

In 2018, Giant Food stores donated 9,500 holiday turkeys to food banks across the region — its highest donation — in conjunction with the company’s year-long 95th anniversary celebration, which was centered on giving back to its community partners.