The GIANT Company and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced Tuesday the 45 recipients of the 2022 Healing the Planet grant program. Announced earlier this year, $300,000 in funding was awarded in support of projects aimed at improving the health and quality of waterways to help protect water resources and improve the overall health of communities.
The grant recipients were formally announced at the Camp Curtin Branch YMCA Garden, operated by the Harrisburg Area YMCA, a $10,000 grant recipient. Representatives from The GIANT Company and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful also recognized four additional Dauphin County nonprofits who were among the groups to receive funding. City of Harrisburg – Department of Parks, Recreation and Facilities, Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, Londonderry Township, and The Salvation Army, each received a grant for their waterway projects.
“There’s only one planet Earth and the steps we take now will impact our environment and waterways for future generations,” said Jessica Groves, community impact manager, The GIANT Company. “Our customers and team members understand that changes of any size can make a big difference in healing our planet through their generosity in rounding up at the register in support of these types of environmental initiatives. We are excited to see these water resource projects brought to life in the coming months and continue to make a lasting difference in their local communities.”
Grants range from $2,500 up to $10,000. Eligible projects had to be in The GIANT Company’s operating areas within Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia. Funding for the grants was provided by customers at GIANT, MARTIN’S and GIANT Heirloom Market stores who agreed to round up their grocery purchase to the nearest dollar from March through May.
The following organizations are the recipients of a 2022 Healing the Planet grant from The GIANT Company and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful:
Maryland
- The High 5 Initiative, Inc., North East
- Town of Mount Airy, Mount Airy
Pennsylvania
- 9th Street Youth & Community Center, Chester
- Abington Area Joint Recreation Board, Clarks Summit
- Blue Mountain Eagle Climbing Club and Wilderness Park Association, Reading
- Centre Region Parks and Recreation Authority, State College
- City of Harrisburg- Department of Parks and Recreation and Facilities, Harrisburg
- East Bradford Township, West Chester
- Friends of Schuylkill River Park, Philadelphia
- Friends of Silver Lake Nature Center, Bristol
- Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg
- Glen Foerd Conservation Corporation, Philadelphia
- Harrisburg Area YMCA, Harrisburg
- Indiana Borough, Indiana
- Kennett Area Park Authority, Kennett Square
- Lancaster Conservancy, Lancaster
- Lehman Sanctuary, Shavertown
- Londonderry Township, Middletown
- Lower Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, Wrightsville
- Lundale Farm Inc., Pottstown
- Michaux Forest Association, Hummelstown
- Mountain Watershed Association, Melcroft
- North American Land Trust, Chadds Ford
- Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy, Williamsport
- PA Parks and Forest Foundation//Friends of White Clay Creek Preserve, Camp Hill
- Pennsylvania Division of the Izaak Walton League of America, New Salem
- Salisbury Township, Gap
- Schuylkill River Development Corporation, Philadelphia
- The Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia
- The Da Vinci Discovery Center of Science and Technology, Inc., Allentown
- The Pennsylvania State University, University Park
- The Salvation Army, Harrsiburg
- Trout Unlimited 108 Doc Fritchey, Palmyra
- Upper Darby Township, Upper Darby
- Warrington Township, Chalfont
- Watershed Alliance of Adams County, Gettysburg
- Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, Nazareth
- Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pittsburgh
- Wildlife Leadership Academy, Lock Haven
- Willistown Conservation Trust, Newtown Square
- York Academy Regional Charter School Upper School, York
Virginia
- The Shenandoah Valley Black Heritage Program, Harrisonburg
- Virginia Clean Cities, Harrisonburg
- Winchester-Frederick County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Winchester
West Virginia
- Blue Ridge Watershed Coalition, Harpers Ferry
“Access to healthy food and understanding agricultural practices are often limited in our uptown Harrisburg community,” said Jamien Harvey, executive director of the Camp Curtin and East Shore Branch YMCAs. “The opportunity to expand our garden project allows us to educate the youth and families at the Camp Curtin Branch YMCA about healthy water and its incredible impact on our ecosystem. We are so grateful to The GIANT Company for recognizing the impact of healthy, natural food education on our community.”
“The health of our local waterways is intimately connected to the overall health of our communities. We are honored to partner with The GIANT Company to provide Healing the Planet grants to communities across Pennsylvania. Thank you to all of you who rounded up at the register. Your generosity will directly impact communities by improving the health and quality of waterways,” said Shannon Reiter, president, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.”
This marked the second year of the Healing the Planet grant program. Last year, more than $500,000 was awarded to 42 recipients in support of projects that aimed to build environmental stewardship by connecting people and families to community green spaces, supporting environmental restoration efforts, and building community gardens.
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has supported community improvement initiatives and has encouraged community leadership, responsibility and a respect for the environment since 1990. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, a state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc., has more than 30 years of experience in organizing volunteer-driven community improvement events. Visit keeppabeautiful.org for more information on programs or to find an event near you.
As part of The GIANT Company’s healing our planet initiative, the company is committed to plastic bag recycling and plastic reduction efforts, zero-waste initiatives, a solar field and bee pollinator habitat, energy-efficient fixtures in-stores, and sustainably sourced seafood, coffee, and tea. To learn more, visit giantfoodstores.com/pages/our-purpose.
