Giant and Martin's Food: Benefiting Children Regionally and Nationally

Healthy food is at the core of what makes – and keeps – kids, families, and communities strong. It’s the fuel that allows parents to provide nutritious home cooked meals, and it’s what keeps kids going when they’re being treated at the hospital.

Since 1983, Ahold USA – the organization that owns Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Market, among others – has raised more than $5 billion for the 170 children’s hospitals across the U.S. and Canada. Giant Food Stores, LLC is headquartered in Carlisle, PA with 17 locations supporting Children’s National. The local Martin’s Food Markets and Giant Food Stores have raised more than $100,000 each year for Children’s National – most of it $1 at a time.

For two weeks in the spring – the last week in June and first week in July – Martin’s Food Market holds a Balloon Icon campaign, where cashiers ask for loose change or donations at the register and post a balloon icon to the store for each donation received. Then again in the fall, Martin’s hosts a similar Candle Icon campaign the week of and the week after Thanksgiving, one of the busiest time of year for grocery stores.

Both icons have coupons attached to them from a major retailer. Not only do stores post icons throughout the property, they also get creative by hosting in-store fundraising events: stores have been known to host hot dog sales, Icee sales, and parking lot carnivals. One of the largest fundraisers that Ahold USA organizes is a regional golf tournament to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Giant and Martin’s workers know that we all benefit from a strong community, and that businesses are playing a larger role in meeting social needs. That’s why the organization is committed to use their reach to make a positive impact in our communities and the millions of people they touch, every day.