Landover and Baltimore, Md. (August 10, 2010) –Giant Food of Landover, Md., and the Baltimore Ravens today announced a new partnership for the 2010 season at a briefing held at the Westminster Giant. The Ravens named Giant Food as the official supermarket partner, and the two organizations kicked off a season-long giving campaign benefitting the Maryland Food Bank. With the announcement of their new partnership, Ravens President Dick Cass and Giant Food of Landover Regional Vice President Rob Harman together unveiled a brand new tailgating logo, which vibrantly displays each organization's primary marks with a fiery, tailgate grilling theme.
"We are extremely pleased to have Giant Food as our official supermarket partner. Giant is an outstanding organization with a strong presence in the community," said Cass.
"Giant is thrilled to be the official supermarket partner of the Baltimore Ravens. Who better than Giant to bring together great food and fun for all football fans to enjoy," said Robin Michel, president of Giant Food of Landover. "Through our partnership with the Baltimore Ravens, we will continue to focus efforts on the communities we serve and help combat hunger. I'm confident in the Ravens' and Giant's ability to make a difference together working with the Maryland Food Bank."
In addition to the designation as official supermarket of the Baltimore Ravens, Giant Food will be the Ravens' Tailgating Headquarters for all tailgating needs. Throughout the season, the Tailgaters program will feature the opportunity to win unique Ravens prizes and experiences when picking up key consumer products in-store to better prepare fans for game day, both home and away. The partnership will be featured through multiple media channels, including radio, television and internet, as well as other advertising and event assets, including Ravens Walk.
Giant will support the team's annual "Ravens Family Food Drive" at Baltimore-area stores from Nov. 7-28, culminating with the Nov. 28 Giant Food Game Day Sponsorship at M&T Bank Stadium when the Ravens host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Ravens and Giant hope to donate more than 40,000 pounds of non-perishable food items to the Maryland Food Bank. At today's tailgating kick-off event, attendees had an opportunity to throw footballs at a dunk tank for $1 donation to support the Maryland Food Bank.
"The Maryland Food Bank has a nearly 60-year combined partnership with Giant Food and the Baltimore Ravens," said Maryland Food Bank CEO Deborah Flateman. "We are incredibly grateful to stand shoulder to shoulder with Giant and the Ravens in the fight to end hunger in Maryland. Together we will strengthen our efforts and broaden our reach to ensure that no Maryland man, woman, child or senior citizen has to wonder where they will get their next meal."
Throughout the season, Baltimore-area Giant stores will "Paint the Town Purple," support the Ravens, offer special tailgating food items and serve as Ravens fans' one-stop shop for all of the perfect game-day necessities. Giant and the Ravens will also team up to support community events, including breast cancer awareness and prevention efforts in the month of October.
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*About Giant Food
Giant Food LLC, headquartered in Landover, Md., operates 180 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia, and employs approximately 22,000 associates. Included within the 180 stores are 163 full-service pharmacies. For more information on Giant, visit *www.GiantFood.com*. *
*About Baltimore Ravens
Entering their 15th year of existence, the Ravens have made the NFL playoffs three of the last four seasons. Under head coach John Harbaugh, who has compiled 23 total wins in just two seasons, Baltimore produced its sixth playoff team of the decade (2000-09) during the 2009 campaign. For more information, visit www.BaltimoreRavens.com.*
