Guest Blogger—Tabitha Hanes, Richmond SPCA Community Relations Manager
As MARTIN’S enters the Richmond grocery market, the homeless pets in the care of the Richmond SPCA will not have to wonder where their next meal is coming from. The Partnership for Healthy Pets, which will be adopted by MARTIN’S, was established with Ukrop’s Super Markets in 2002 and has provided all the food, litter and treats for pets at the Robins-Starr Humane Center for the last seven years.
The local humane organization saves the lives of about 3,000 cats and dogs each year who each receive a consistent, healthy diet as a result of the partnership. In 2009, the relationship with Ukrop’s resulted in more than 28,000 pounds of donated food and nearly 3,000 bags of cat litter. MARTIN’S continuation of this dependable supply of food and litter donations will save the non-profit thousands of dollars each year.
“One of our best and most enduring corporate relationships has been with Ukrop’s Super Markets, which has helped establish this new relationship with MARTIN’S,” Richmond SPCA Chief Executive Officer Robin Starr said. “We are so grateful for MARTIN’S generosity in continuing this support and for recognizing the great love this community has for its animal companions.”
The support for orphaned animals shown by Ukrop’s, and soon to be adopted by MARTIN’S, has also been demonstrated by Ukrop’s customers. Richmond SPCA supporters have consistently been among the most active participants in “shop to give” fundraising programs at Ukrop’s over the years. This customer-driven response reflects the community’s desire to provide for animals awaiting adoption.
“MARTIN’S is proud to partner with the Richmond SPCA to be a part of this Richmond tradition,” said Jim Scanlon, regional vice president. “The Richmond community has shown an outpouring of support for our four-legged friends, and by supplying the Richmond SPCA with a regular supply of our Companion brand pet food, no homeless pets will go hungry.”
MARTIN’S will also become the sponsor of the Richmond SPCA’s Humane Education programs which provide more than 17,000 hours of education each year through outbound visits, tours of the Robins-Starr Humane Center, a summer day camp for area school children, and special events. Humane Education at the Richmond SPCA includes programs for both kids and adults that help to instill compassion, kindness and empathy for both humans and animals, develop character, and promote a sense of responsibility.
The Richmond SPCA, founded in 1891, is a no-kill humane organization dedicated to the guiding principle that every life is precious. As a national leader in humane care and education, the Richmond SPCA is aggressively tackling the problem of pet overpopulation through programs of adoption, rehabilitation, spay/neuter, pet-retention, trap-neuter-return, and humane education. For more information, visit www.richmondspca.org.
About GIANT/MARTIN’S
The Giant-Carlisle Division of Ahold USA, headquartered in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is a leading supermarket chain in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia with grocery stores operating under the names of GIANT Food Stores and MARTIN’S Food Markets. GIANT and MARTIN’S are proud to work with hundreds of local organizations in the communities they serve and have a long-standing commitment to eradicate hunger and improve the quality of life for children. For more information, visit www.GiantFoodStores.com and www.MartinsFoods.com.
BARK Back Richmond
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to our feed.
{ 0 comments }
