Quincy, MA -- The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company and Giant Food have announced plans to collect customer donations for the Hurricane Katrina relief effort in the American Gulf Coast starting on Friday, September 2. All Stop & Shop (stores in MA, RI, NH, CT, NY, and NJ), Giant Food (stores in VA, MD and the District of Columbia), and Super G (stores in DE and NJ) stores will participate.

All funds collected from the drive will go to the American Red Cross and America's Second Harvest-The Nation's Food Bank Network to help the victims of one of the most devastating storms in American history.

The supermarket chains are also collecting donations from associates at their main offices and distribution facilities.

"As we learn more and more about the horrific damage Katrina has caused, we see the need to give our associates and customers an easy way to contribute to the hurricane victims," said Marc Smith, President and CEO of The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company/Giant Food.

Both Stop & Shop and Giant are both known for their charitable assistance. The two supermarket chains have raised millions of dollars each year fighting hunger, childhood diseases and supporting the communities they serve. Earlier this year, the chains donated $375,000 for tsunami relief in Southeast Asia.

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC and Giant Food LLC employ more than 86,000 associates and operate more than 565 stores throughout the Eastern United States. We are part of Ahold, one of the world's largest food providers.