Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank Among Charitable Recipients

FREDERICKBURG, VA — A Fredericksburg-based food bank is among 11 not-for-profit organizations across the region that are the recipients of a $2 million donation of toilet paper and hand sanitizer from Giant Food.

The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank was named as a recipient of the large donation by Giant Food, which is the top grocery store chain in the greater Washington, DC., area, according to a news release issued on Monday.

The grocery store chain announced that the donation of the hand sanitizer and toilet paper is being made in addition to its Lend A Hand For Hunger campaign, which raised more than $550,000 for local communities during the holidays, the release said. The campaign raised money through efforts by Giant Food customers rounding up the dollar amount of their purchases and donating the change to the charitable effort.

“Our nonprofit partners continue to see a high demand for essential supplies such as toilet paper and hand sanitizer as the coronavirus crisis continues to put many under extraordinary pressure,” Ira Kress, president of Giant Food said in the news release. “It's important for us to do all that we can as a neighbor to serve our communities and we are humbled to be able to support our nonprofit partners with monetary and supply donations during this time.”

The Fredericksburg Regional Food Bank serves several local communities in addition to the City of Fredericksburg and was one of not-for-profit food-gathering organizations in Virginia, Maryland and Delaware to be named as a recipient of the toilet paper and hand sanitizer donation from Giant Food.

"During this pandemic, items like hand sanitizer and toilet tissue are some of the most essential supplies to ensure health and wellbeing yet have also been the hardest to come by – especially for people who are already struggling to afford food," Molly McGlinchy, the Capital Area Food Bank's senior director of Procurement and Direct Programs said in the release. "Giant's generous donation of these items is making a big difference for thousands of our neighbors in the midst of this incredibly challenging time."