Nonprofit organizations will each receive $10,000 grants.

CAMP HILL, Pa. – As philanthropists large and small come together today for Giving Tuesday – the global generosity movement that has taken on added significance during the COVID-19 pandemic – The Rite Aid Foundation is investing $4.8 million in grant funding to 480 local nonprofit organizations in Rite Aid communities as part of its annual holiday giving program.

The Foundation will provide $10,000 grants to nonprofit organizations that are part of The Rite Aid Foundation’s KidCents customer fundraising program. This year’s Giving Tuesday grants come as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to significantly disrupt nonprofit operations, programs and fundraising.

Spread across Rite Aid’s 18-state footprint, KidCents nonprofit organizations range in size from grassroots operations to regional entities that provide vital services supporting children’s health in urban, suburban and rural locations. Programs address the social determinants of health, such as education, food, income stability, health and housing – all essential to individual health – and often support disadvantaged and underserved communities. Recipient KidCents charities include food banks, homeless shelters, foster care organizations, child abuse centers and therapeutic care facilities for chronically ill children.

More than 3 million generous Rite Aid customers participate in the KidCents program, rounding up their purchases when shopping in-store or online. The Rite Aid Foundation reinvests the customer contributions into local charities and missions to drive community change.

As coronavirus cases surge, supporting nonprofits will prove critical to sustaining vital services for neighborhoods. The pandemic could force a third of charities to close within a year, according to a Charities Aid Foundation of America survey released earlier this year.

“KidCents charities address the toughest challenges in our neighborhoods and provide life-changing and life-saving programs to keep children and families healthy, nourished and safe,” said Matthew DeCamara, executive director of The Rite Aid Foundation. “COVID-19 has presented unprecedented challenges for these organizations. We have marveled at the dedicated community leaders, staff and volunteers who have tirelessly worked and advocated for children’s health. We’re thankful for their incredible efforts, as well as for the valued generosity of Rite Aid customers.”

The change adds up for hundreds of KidCents charities – like The Children’s Center in Detroit. As the largest provider of children’s services in Wayne County, the center aims to care for children’s whole well-being, through behavioral health, housing and enrichment programs.

This year’s Giving Tuesday grant will support The Children’s Center as it hosts its annual Holiday Shop in a curbside-style this year. Families will receive a free holiday kit that includes a blanket, board game, puzzle, books and a grocery gift card for a holiday meal.

“We believe in giving children not just what they need, but what they deserve,” said Douglas Manigault III, director of consumer and foundation philanthropy for The Children’s Center. “If you cannot meet your basic needs – food, clothing and shelter – there’s a good chance that you’re not adhering to critical services. This grant will support us in our critical mission to move children from crisis to thriving.”

Another KidCents charity, The Joshua Group, has served the Allison Hill neighborhood of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for more than 20 years. The Rite Aid Foundation grant will support the organization’s academically focused after-school program, which offers education and mentoring services – both virtual and in person – to more than 200 children each week.

“Education is the anti-poverty program that works,” said Kirk Hallett, director of The Joshua Group. “We’re proud to have supporters like The Rite Aid Foundation that invest in our mission to feed and nurture children – mentally, socially and academically – so they can be successful in all aspects of their lives.”