By: Emily Witter, USO-Metro
On June 4th, during USO-Metro’s Supermarket Sweep event at the OUCP warehouse on Fort
Belvoir, Giant Food Companies presented a check to the USO of Metropolitan Washington-Baltimore and provided 17,000 Giant healthy food care packages.
“For the last four years, we’ve had this incredible partnership with Giant in which they’ve played a critical role in helping us to raise funds to provide programs and services to our troops and their families,” said Elaine Rogers, President and CEO of USO-Metro. “We’re extremely grateful to the Giant for the unwavering support of our military members and their families.”
The check presentation took place during USO-Metro’s monthly Supermarket Sweep event in which healthy food products are distributed to troops and their families. The event consisted of upbeat music and USO-Metro volunteers who were more than happy to help pass out healthy food items including carrots, potatoes and leafy greens.
In addition, Giant healthy snack packs purchased by the American people at local Giant stores were distributed to attendees. Each of the snack packs contained a bottle of water, granola bar, fruit snacks, protein bar, powder drink mix, and a small bottle of hand sanitizer.
All 169 Giant Food locations sold the healthy snack packs to Giant customers for donation to USO Centers located in the Washington-Baltimore and Delaware region. In addition, customers were offered the opportunity to make $1, 3 and 5 donations at check out.
Sarah Forrest, a military spouse with four children and who has siblings serving in the military said of USO-Metro, “They do a lot for active duty families … and they’re just so supportive of us and I just really appreciate that.”
Steven Stoner, Vice President of Human Resources & Labor Relations at Giant Food, member of the USO-Metro Board of Directors, and a veteran of the Army donated a check of $100,000 to USO-Metro on behalf of the American people through the Giant Food Company.
Lisa Headd, Development Manager of USO-Metro said, “We’re thrilled to have Steve Stoner’s tremendous support on our board, and we truly value the resources Giant provides for our troops, both financially and with their time and energy!”
While addressing troops and their families participating in the Supermarket Sweep, Stoner said, “As a prior Army service member and the spouse of an Air Force member, this is very near and dear to my heart.” Stoner said, “I want to thank you for what you do, for what you provide, and for what you will do for the country and for us. This is a small token of our appreciation. So thank you on behalf of Giant Food.”
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