HARRISBURG, Pa. – The GIANT Company has donated $20,000 to Harrisburg University of Science and Technology on Giving Tuesday (Nov. 30) to fund the purchase of equipment needed to finish greenhouse renovations at HU’s hydroponic production system at Steelton-Highspire Jr./Senior High School and cover the costs of harvest packaging supplies throughout the remainder of the year.
The funding is part of $100,000 The Giant Company has made to nine organizations to support nutritious food distribution and educational programming on Giving Tuesday.
“While making a difference and helping families gather around the table is part of The GIANT Company’s purpose year-round, the holidays bring a renewed sense of giving and connecting with those in need throughout our communities,” Jessica Groves, community impact manager, The GIANT Company, said in a release. “This Giving Tuesday donation is our largest to date and reflects the important and unique work each of these nine organizations are doing in our communities to help eliminate hunger.”
Full hydroponic production at HU’s facility will allow more than 1,100 leafy greens (lettuce, spinach, herbs, etc.) to be growing at any given time at the greenhouse, said Dr. Rachel Fogle, HU Biological Sciences Professor who heads the University’s hydroponics and aquaponics programs. With a staggered production plan, and a seed-to-harvest time of 40 days, approximately 375 heads will be harvested each week for donation.
“Collectively, full hydroponic production at the facility will provide a considerable amount of fresh donations to the community consistently throughout the year, with GIANT branding incorporated both within the greenhouse environment and on packaging supplies,” Fogle said.
Prior to the onset of these renovations to make improvements in the design and overall layout of the greenhouse, HU regularly donated harvested produce to the community including the Steelton-Highspire food distribution, the Harrisburg University student population, Hanna’s Pantry with Susquehanna Township, and through the Harrisburg Police with the Food Bank. As part of GIANT’s sponsorship, HU will expand its donation footprint to include Downtown Daily Bread.
Harrisburg University thanks The Giant Company for their generosity and we thank you in advance for joining us today. Your support is instrumental to our mission, and we are honored to be able to serve our students with your help. Please Donate here: www.harrisburgu.edu/give.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Harrisburg University is a private nonprofit university offering bachelor and graduate degree programs in science, technology, and math fields. For more information on the University’s affordable demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, call 717-901-5146 or email, Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Follow on Twitter (@HarrisburgU) and Facebook (Facebook.com/HarrisburgU).
