While we are all being challenged in ways that we never expected, it is amazing to see the amount of support that area retailers have been giving to the communities that they serve. In addition to providing thousands of jobs during this time of economic unrest, many of them have increased hourly wages and issued bonuses for front line workers, paid sick leave and have provided critical medical care options during the wake of this coronavirus pandemic that has us gripped the nation and the world in its relentless and unforgiving clutches. But not only have these grocery stores been looking out for their employees (who put themselves at a significantly higher risk of contracting COVID-19 so that people can still buy food and essentials on a daily basis), many of them have addressed head-on the issue of hunger that has become even more prevalent because of the record number of job losses, school closures (where many impoverished children depend on getting a meal) and just a general sense of economic uncertainty.
Ahold Delhaize USA has announced that it will be donating a $10 million relief package to address the critical needs of the communities it serves amidst the COVID-19 crisis. The parent company of the East Coast retailer brands Giant Food, The Giant Company, Food Lion, Stop & Shop and Hannaford has earmarked the substantial amount to be distributed as follows: $2 million to associate care funds that are for employees and their families in times of need; $3.5 million in new funding to feed and care for communities in its coverage area ($1 million each through Food Lion and Stop & Shop, $500,000 each through Giant Food, The Giant Company and Hannaford); $3 million already infused through local brands providing local funding and in-kind product donations (including $550,000 to Feeding America regional food banks through Giant Food, $500,000 to support hunger relief organizations through The Giant Company, and $600,000 through Food Lion to community food bank partners and other local food donations) and $1.5 million to support medical research that works towards creating a vaccine and cure for COVID-19 (with $500,000 being donated to each of the leading research efforts being conducted at Johns Hopkins University, North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Boston’s Children’s Hospital). In regards to his organization’s generous donations, Kevin Holt, CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA, stated, “Serving our brands’ associates and communities is one of our greatest calls to action at Ahold Delhaize USA, and we take to heart our responsibility during this time of need. We’re inspired by the selfless dedication of medical professionals and first responders, the acts of kindness and compassion across the globe, and the commitment from our own team to serve and feed their families, friends and neighbors.” Holt continued, “Through our local brand efforts, we play a critical role in the food supply chain and are operating in regions greatly impacted by this crisis. Our COVID-19 relief package ensures we’re financially committing to critical needs, along with implementing continued social distancing measures and creating new employment opportunities when it is needed most.”
Safeway and the Safeway Foundation, along with parent company Albertson Companies, have pledged $3 million to offer hunger relief and have launched a fundraising campaign called “Help Feed Families During This Crisis” to provide food to families during the COVID-19 epidemic that has seized our communities. The campaign will collect donations at checkout stands from April 1 to April 30 at stores in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and Washington, DC. The funds collected will remain local and will be used to combat hunger in the following ways: keep food banks stocked so they can respond to increased demand; support emergency meal distribution at schools; support senior centers and other programs that provide food to seniors; and help families access federal food programs. “There has never been a more important time to help our neighbors than right now,” said Safeway Eastern president Tom Lofland. “Safeway has always been on the frontline of hunger relief, and our customers always stand with us. We are asking our communities to join us in this effort to ensure that the COVID-19 crisis doesn’t also become a hunger crisis.”
Wegmans is also helping address food insecurity during this pandemic by pledging to donate $4 million to food banks in its coverage area. In a company statement, the Rochester, NY-based grocer said, “At times like these, everyone is called on to come together and support one another. One of our highest giving priorities is providing food for people at risk of hunger. The best way to do this is by supporting local food banks that can provide food directly to people in need. Given the unknown duration and overall impact of this crisis, Wegmans is donating $4 million spread across all our partner food banks. We will continue to support our partners and adapt as needed.”
And it’s not only the retailers that are taking action. Other industry players are stepping in to help feed the hungry as well. Zach Fine, owner of the Baltimore-based chicken processor and distributor Holly Poultry, threw down a challenge to his friend, Ellicott City DJ Chris Kopec. If Kopec could get 50,000 viewers to visit his Facebook Live virtual parties (which have become quite popular during the social distancing and stay-at-home order in place at this time), Fine would donate a pound per person. Not only was Kopec successful in drawing that crowd, but since it was also his wife’s birthday the day after, Fine threw in an extra 10,000 pound for good measure! That’s 60,000 pounds of chicken which will be distributed (with the help of United Way) to non-profits across central Maryland. Plus, I also found out that Holly Poultry was supplying two pounds of chicken each to out-of-work restaurant employees through Saval Foodservice (who, by the way, has been going to restaurants in the Maryland and DC area to provide meals for their workers).
These are only a few of the examples of the many companies that are helping offer hunger relief at a time when the support is needed now more than ever. I know that as this COVID-19 crisis continues, there will be even more grocers, distributors, and manufacturers throwing in a big lending hand. A huge thank you to the retailer and supplier community for all that you do to keep our community and industry thriving – you are all living proof that this business has heart.
Until next month…
Karen can be contacted via email at [email protected].