From 182 million meals to 200 in-school pantries: how do our brands make a difference?
From volunteerism to donations in cash, products and food – see some of the examples of how our brands went above and beyond in serving their communities.
Delhaize Belgium donated approximately 2,577 tonnes of food close to expiration to their local network of around 150 charity partners and food banks. This contribution occurred both in Delhaize supermarkets and distribution centers. Behind the scenes, many volunteers within this charity network ensured a reduction in waste and provided the equivalent of about 4.8 million meals to beneficiaries.
Food Lion's impactful Food Lion Feeds program resonated deeply, with 182 million meals donated in 2023 alone. Food Lion associates also volunteered over 32,000 hours, equivalent to 10 million meals, demonstrating their dedication to their communities. Their omnichannel remodels not only revitalized stores but also gave back to the community, with a mobile teaching kitchen and pantry supporting low-income diabetes patients in North Carolina.
Albert and its Bertik Helps campaign, supported children in need across the Czech Republic by donating almost €160,000 to 100 NGOs across the country focused on projects supporting children in education, integration, preparation for independent living and more. Through Albert's Fairs, children from orphanages honed their skills, earning nearly €28,000 in sales. And with the National Food Collection, over 116 tonnes of food reached the tables of those in need.
Giant Food raised over $5.1 million through generous support of their associates and customers with their roundup campaigns. Giant Food associates also volunteered over 1,800 hours in 2023 by participating in various community service events. These events included setting up a market for locals to shop for food at no cost, packing boxes of food for organizations, cleaning up a stream, planting trees, and packing holiday meal boxes and snack packs for families and children in need.
Bol, our leading Dutch e-commerce retailer distributed "Boekiebags" (book bags) to combat the summer reading dip among grade school children through its Bollebozen program. Golden wrappers in 4 of the “boekiebags” led lucky kids to special events with renowned Dutch artists, fostering a love for books and learning. Additionally, 110,000 books were handed out to children throughout 450 schools in the Netherlands and Belgium during the holiday period. Several other initiatives were also conducted throughout bol’s Bollebozen program in 2023.
The GIANT Company donated almost $4 million to hunger relief programs and its “Make a Difference Challenge” demonstrated their spirit of community empowerment and support. Donating $500,000 to 20 local non-profits, they celebrated their 100th anniversary by investing in projects that promote healthier people and a healthier planet.
Alfa Beta's Love Food Program was a testament to their commitment to sustainability and community support. Donating over 13.8 million meals in collaboration with "Boroume" and the Greek Food Bank, they tackled food waste while nourishing over 123,000 people in need. It’s annual volunteer day also saw 5,000 associates volunteer their time on diverse activities such as collecting essential goods for people affected by floods, planting trees, and adopting 2,000 trees to be planted across Greece.
Hannaford donated $1.3 million for its Eat Well, Be Well initiative that prioritizes the health and wellbeing of older adults. Hannaford also committed $210,000 in donations to provide both immediate aid and long-term support to the residents of Lewiston and Auburn following a tragic mass shooting. Additionally, Hannaford donated $350,000 to support The Ecology School's AgroEcology for Resilient Communities Project, which addresses climate change, food systems challenges, and food insecurity within the community.
Delhaize Serbia's "Food for All" initiative set a new standard for food surplus management and direct donations. The program collects food items daily from 26 different locations, including fresh pastries, second-grade fruits and vegetables, and dry products with shorter shelf life or damaged original packaging. Distributing over 25 tonnes of surplus food to beneficiaries in just one month, they tackled hunger while reducing environmental impact.
Stop & Shop continued the expansion of its School Food Pantry program, hitting a milestone of establishing over 200 in-school pantries across their footprint and raised over $1 million to help fight student hunger and expand the program through their first-ever register campaign. Stop & Shop also awarded a grant of $75,000 to Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx, New York, to provide pediatric patients and their families with regular access to fruits and vegetables. Additionally, they gave $120,000 to the non-profit organization QARI to outfit a co-branded electric van, which delivers fresh produce to schools across New York City where there are high populations of immigrants in need.
These examples of generosity from across our brands demonstrate the power of collective action and the impact of giving back.
