As part of its ongoing commitment to be a better neighbor and a responsible retailer, no rx MARTIN’S Food Markets announced that charitable donations made in 2013 from customers, associates and vendor partners totaled more than $1.7 million in the greater Richmond and Williamsburg communities. Companywide, MARTIN’S donated $25.1 million. Donations supporting hunger relief, improving the lives of children, and building healthier communities were made through a combination of cash and products.

“MARTIN’S is committed to being a better neighbor in the Richmond and Williamsburg communities we serve through ongoing charitable giving and support and helping customers live healthier lives,” said Jim Scanlon, regional vice president. “Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our customers, associates and vendors, we have given back almost $7 million over the past three years in support of hunger relief and other important causes within Central Virginia.”

Healthy communities

As part of MARTIN’S commitment to the fight against hunger, in 2013, FeedMore and numerous local pantries collectively received a total of $903,500 in donations from MARTIN’S. Significant among these food donation programs was “Meat the Needs,” where the company freezes meat that would otherwise go unsold and donates it to regional food banks. FeedMore received 294,878 pounds of frozen meat from MARTIN’S in 2013. For the 10th Annual Hokies vs. ‘Hoos Food Fight, store teams collected food items and cash donations from customers at all Richmond area locations. MARTIN’S also continued its tradition of delivering 1,000 turkeys to FeedMore during the holiday season.

In celebration of the company’s 90th anniversary in 2013, MARTIN’S donated a total of $81,000 to nine regional food bank partners, including $9,000 to FeedMore towards ongoing hunger relief efforts. Generous customers contributed approximately $5,000 during the Bag Hunger in-store campaign. Also for its 90th anniversary, MARTIN’S launched 90 days of giving where stores conducted at least one random act of kindness throughout the summer and into early fall.

MARTIN’S customers and associates also gave generously during the Share a Holiday Meal program to help Richmond and Williamsburg area families in need during the holiday season, donating $94,746. The donation supported Christmas Mother campaigns in Chesterfield/Colonial Heights, Hanover and Henrico, Salvation Army Central Virginia Command and Salvation Army of Williamsburg.

“Henrico Christmas Mother appreciates all of the work and dedication MARTIN’S puts into the Share a Holiday Meal program,” said Harriet F. Long, 2013 Henrico Christmas Mother. “Their donation helped give us gift cards for perishable food items to more than 1,400 families. We just feel so humbled and blessed to be a recipient of this wonderful program. MARTIN’S donation is the largest that our program received.”

MARTIN’S also continued its robust support of the Richmond SPCA last year. SPCA Day at MARTIN’S encouraged customers to “vote” for dogs or cats at the register with a $1 donation. A total of $10,000 was raised for a much needed transfer van for Richmond’s premier humane organization. To help feed friendly SPCA animals, MARTIN’S also donated its Companion brand pet food in the amount of $38,612 in 2013. For its ongoing support and partnership, Richmond SPCA recognized MARTIN’S with its Ellen Glasgow Award for Humane Service.

In 2013, MARTIN’S committed approximately $250,000 in contributions to Central Virginia local community groups and various nonprofit organizations throughout its market area, impacting tens of thousands of individuals and families. The grocers’ annual “Support Our Troops” in-store campaign, which benefits regional USOs, such as USO of Hampton Roads and Central Virginia and the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that helps severely injured service members aid and assist each other, raised $23,860 in 2013. MARTIN’S was also a proud supporter of Salvation Army’s Donuts of Hope which raised $6,610.

Associate and corporate contributions to more than 40 local United Way agencies also totaled more than $1 million in 2013, including $103,810 to United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg.

Healthy kids

Over the past 18 years, MARTIN’S has donated more than $34 million to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in local communities it serves, including more than $119,050 to Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU in 2013. Funds delivered to Children’s Miracle Network Hospital partners provide the opportunity for growth and improvement of patient services, acquisition of essential equipment and allow for facility advancements in which our physicians provide vital health care to children in our community.

Through MARTIN’S A+ School Rewards program, more than 300 public and private schools in the greater Richmond and Williamsburg communities received $120,538 to help fund scholarship programs, technology initiatives, sports equipment, and other educational needs. Mills E. Godwin High School in Richmond, VA was the top local school this year, earning $6,477. Since launching the program in 2005, more than $16 million has been donated to thousands of local schools. For a complete listing of schools, please visit www.martinsaplus.com.

Healthy customers

MARTIN’S is helping their customers to be healthy by providing a variety of resources to make healthier choices for themselves and for their families. Valerie Waters, in-store nutritionist stationed in several Richmond area stores, assists customers with questions on healthy eating while they shop, provides one-on-one nutrition consultations and teaches health related classes. In total, MARTIN’S has seven nutritionists throughout its market area.

The company also focuses on healthier kids through Passport to Nutrition, a fun, interactive program to make the topic of healthy eating exciting for kids and also offers in-store Kid Healthy Ideas store tours.

“Thank you to all of our associates who embrace these and other initiatives that make us a better neighbor and a responsible retailer throughout the various communities we serve in Central Virginia,” continued Scanlon.