A Reading-based community organization is among 21 recipients across Pennsylvania selected to receive funding through the 2026 Healing the Planet grant program, an initiative supported by The GIANT Company and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful.
The 18th Wonder Improvement Association, based in Reading, was awarded a grant as part of the program, which distributed a total of $100,000 to support native planting projects in communities served by GIANT and MARTIN’S stores. Specific funding amounts for individual recipients were not announced.
The grants are intended to support projects that expand native plantings and habitats, helping improve local ecosystems while enhancing community spaces. According to the organizations, native plants provide food and shelter for wildlife, improve water conservation, reduce soil erosion and require minimal maintenance once established.
“Real change happens when businesses and community partners come together to make a difference,” said Courtney Hopcraft, manager of community relations and strategic partnerships for The GIANT Company. “At The GIANT Company, we’re committed to making a positive impact where we live and work. Our Healing the Planet grant program, offered with the support of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, is one of the ways we’re helping to create healthier, greener spaces in the neighborhoods we serve.”
Since launching the Healing the Planet grant program in 2021, The GIANT Company and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful have awarded more than $1.4 million to projects throughout Pennsylvania. The funding has supported initiatives that connect communities with green spaces, improve waterways, reduce food waste and restore native habitats.
“Community plantings foster shared responsibility and stewardship, strengthening social ties,” said Heidi Pedicone, director of programs for Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “Native plants provide food and shelter for local wildlife, improve water conservation, provide protection from soil erosion and can survive with minimal care. Beautifying communities also tends to reduce littering and other illegal behaviors, making it a better place for all residents and providing a foundation for community and economic development.”
Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, the state affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, has organized volunteer-driven community improvement efforts since 1990. The organization partnered with The GIANT Company to administer this year’s grant program, which recognized projects in communities across the company’s Pennsylvania operating area.
