Check out your Company Bowl for anonymous work chats.
It's Meet a Team Member Monday, so let's get to know Courtney Zaleski, store manager at the Aston, Pa., GIANT. Courtney started her career at The GIANT Company in 2005 as a cashier. She worked her way up to checkout coach during high school and continued growing through new opportunities through college and after graduation before being named store manager in 2019. A team player who enjoys watching team members become the best versions of themselves, Courtney is described by colleagues as a caring and compassionate leader. "Courtney makes every customer feel welcome by taking the time to help them, and that is why her customers come back to GIANT," said David Goodyear, Courtney's human resources business partner. "Her team is always first and foremost; you can see her care for them in every conversation and interaction." Courtney, thank you for helping team members across The GIANT Company learn and grow in big and small ways and for inspiring us all to be our best selves!
Please join us in congratulating Jessica Printy Groves, manager of community impact, who has been named a 2022 Pennsylvania Impact 50 honoree by City & State PA. The list, debuting this year, recognizes a select group of Pennsylvanians who have dedicated their careers and lives to making the commonwealth a better, safer place to live through adherence to the principles of environmentalism, sustainability, and governance – in other words, to those who make a positive impact on our world. Named to her current role in February 2021, Jessica has more than 17 years of retail grocery experience, including loyalty marketing, merchandising, human resources, and operations. Driven by a commitment to deliver impactful change to the customers and communities she serves, Jessica leads The GIANT Company's corporate social responsibility efforts in support of its purpose of connecting families for a better future, with an emphasis on eliminating hunger, changing children's lives, and healing the planet. Way to go, Jessica, and thank you for all that you do!
It takes a community to bring food from field to plate. At The GIANT Company, we are proud of our supplier partners who continue to find new, innovative ways to bring food to our tables. Forbes recently featured one such partner, the Painterland Sisters, sharing how the fourth-generation organic dairy has evolved into a regenerative farm that supports the family’s organic skyr-style yogurt business. Sisters Stephanie Painter and Hayley Painter are farmers and entrepreneurs seeking to bridge the gap between consumers and those who are growing and producing foods. Together, they are redefining the process of bringing food to fruition, driving product innovation through sustainable practices that honor and preserve the family’s rich agricultural heritage. Forbes reveals, “As newbies to entrepreneurship, the sisters have turned to friends, distributors, and mentors to build the brand.” We are proud to be a part of the Painterland Sisters’ journey and cannot wait to see what they achieve next!
Last night, The GIANT Company was named the Corporate Diversity Champion by the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC at its annual Catalyst Awards program. Honorees, selected by a panel of local businesses and community representatives, are recognized for their commitment to leading positive change in the region, creating more business opportunities, and building a brighter future. The Corporate Diversity Champion of the Year Award is given to an organization that has implemented a strong internal diversity program and demonstrated strong values of inclusion. Guided by our 'Be You" Team Promise, we strive to create a culture where everyone is respected, valued, heard, and welcomed. In all that we do, we embrace the unique talents and celebrate the differences of our team members, customers, suppliers, and community partners. Thanks to all of our team members and partners for your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and for all you do to connect the families and communities we serve to stronger, healthier, and more equitable and inclusive futures.
It's time for Meet a Team Member Monday! Say hello to Tom "Woody" Woodring, who most recently served as the store manager at the Williamsport, Pa., GIANT. He started his career at The GIANT Company 43 years ago, pushing carts, and his career path only flourished from there. Woody has held various positions, including dairy lead, grocery manager, and assistant store manager, before being named store manager in 1986 - and he's not done yet! Woody continues to grow through new opportunities and has been named store manager for the new GIANT opening in Benner Township on December 16. "This will be the fourth new store I have opened in my career with The GIANT Company. I love the challenge of opening new stores and overcoming the obstacles that undoubtingly arise," said Woody. When we asked Woody what he enjoys most about his day-to-day job, he said he looks forward to mornings spent unlocking the doors, opening the store, and meeting with his team. Woody hopes to leave behind a legacy filled with positivity and memories of being a reliable team member.
To celebrate Eat a Red Apple Day on December 1st, our MARTIN'S team joined forces with Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to raise awareness of local food insecurity through a caramel apple decorating contest. Participants went apple to apple, competing in a friendly holiday competition to find out who has what it takes to craft the perfect caramel apple. Congratulations to winner Brynna Strand, volunteer and food drive coordinator at the food bank, and a big thank you to our supplier partner, Stemilt Growers, for donating 18,000 red apples to the food bank! Together, we're making a difference and helping to eliminate hunger in our community.
Please join us in congratulating Richard Smith on his promotion to regional director! In his new role, Rich will oversee operations at 19 GIANT stores in southcentral Pennsylvania, working with a talented team to deliver a one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Rich joined The GIANT Company back in 1987 in the front-end department. In his over 35-year career, Rich has led teams in several roles, including store manager for 20 years and, most recently, as the center store manager for suburban Philadelphia. Earlier this year, Rich was honored with the Make a Difference Award at the company's annual business meeting. The award recognizes a team member who has volunteered and connected with a nonprofit organization to strengthen our communities and serves as a role model to all to live our purpose. Rich was instrumental in getting Popcorn for the People, a gourmet popcorn company that creates meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with Autism and developmental disabilities, on store shelves.
In celebration of #GivingTuesday and the beginning of The GIANT Company's season of holiday giving, we announced donations to 11 community organizations combatting food insecurity and supporting families in need across the communities we serve. Every dollar will help our partners continue their important work and connect families for a better future! Learn more about our partners and how we're making a difference together at: https://lnkd.in/ecGHJzhS. And a special shout out to our team members in the greater Philadelphia area, who gave their time and talent today at Caring for Friends and Phoenixville Area Community Services!
Today and always, we are thankful for our amazing team! We appreciate all you do to connect families for a better future and make a difference in the lives of those we serve. Happy Thanksgiving!
We want to help every family gather around the table, enjoy a warm meal, and make memories during the holiday season. Ahead of #Thanksgiving, we've donated over 13,000 turkeys and chickens to local food banks and pantries - a record number of donations delivering more than 110,000 servings of proteins to families in need. Our annual turkey donation is part of our efforts to eliminate hunger and connect families for a better future. We're grateful to our food bank and food pantry partners, as well as our team members, for their continued support of this treasured tradition. #EliminatingHunger #ForTodaysTable #MakeADifference #OneGIANTThanks
