The Giant Co. and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful award 32 community improvement grants

The Giant Co., in partnership with Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, says its 2024 Healing the Planet grant program has awarded a total of $108,243 to 32 recipients, which will fund tree-planting projects across Pennsylvania.

“When it comes to healing our planet, small change can make a big difference, including ensuring we have enough thriving trees throughout our communities,” Courtney Hopcraft, manager of community relations and charitable giving for The Giant Co., said in a news release. “Through the work of this year’s 32 Healing the Planet grant recipients, more than 3,000 new trees will be planted in the coming months to help absorb carbon pollution and improve the quality of the air we breathe.”

Since 2021, the Healing the Planet grant program has awarded more than $1.2 million to 142 recipients for projects connecting communities to green spaces; improved or helped to protect local waterways and water resources; and supported projects that addressed food waste prevention, reduction and recovery, the release said.

“Community tree planting fosters shared responsibility and stewardship, strengthening social ties. Native trees provide food and shelter for local wildlife, improve water conservation, provide protection from soil erosion and are more apt to survive with minimal care. Beautifying communities also tends to reduce littering and other illegal behaviors, making it a better place for all residents and providing a foundation for community and economic development.” said Heidi Pedicone, director of programs for Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “We are proud to provide the funds to Pennsylvania organizations to plant native trees and honored to continue our partnership with The Giant Co. We also want to thank all who rounded up at the register. Your generosity will make a huge difference for these communities.”

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful has supported community improvement initiatives and encouraged community leadership, responsibility and respect for the environment since 1990. Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, a state affiliate of Keep American Beautiful Inc., has more than 30 years of experience in organizing volunteer-driven community improvement events, the release said.

The Giant Co. says other ways it works to heal the planet include zero-waste initiatives, offsetting emissions, reducing food waste and producing green energy and plastic reduction efforts.

Related link: Learn more about The Giant Co.'s initiatives