Quincy, MA -- Stop & Shop (stores in MA, RI, NH, CT, NY, and NJ) and Giant (stores in VA, MD, DE, NJ and the District of Columbia) supermarkets have announced plans to collect customer donations for the tsunami relief effort in Southeast Asia from January 7 through January 22.

All funds collected from the drive will go to the American Red Cross and UNICEF to help the victims in Southeast Asia.

The supermarket chains are also collecting donations from associates at their main offices and distribution facilities. The collection is in addition to the $50,000 Stop & Shop and Giant pledged last week to aid relief efforts.

"With the horrors of this catastrophic event now known, we feel we must do more to help with the relief efforts by giving our associates and customers an easy way to contribute to the tsunami victims," said Marc Smith, President and CEO of The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company/Giant Food.

Both Stop & Shop and Giant have become 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.

The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company/Giant Food employs more than 86,000 associates and operates more than 540 stores throughout the Eastern United States. The company is part of Ahold, one of the world's largest food providers