Martin's Food Markets donated $25,000 to the Central Virginia Food Bank Sunday, in celebration of the company's one-year anniversary of converting 25 stores in the Greater Richmond and Williamsburg communities from Ukrop's stores.

The check presentation (pictured) took place June 5 at Broad Appétit, a downtown Richmond food festival that benefits the Central Virginia Food Bank and Meals on Wheels. Martin's Regional Vice President Jim Scanlon made the donation to Kathy Erhardt, director of strategic gifts for the Central Virginia Food Bank.

“Martin's strongly believes in giving back to the communities where our customers and associates live and work,” said Jim Scanlon, regional vice president. “One of our main charitable causes is the fight against hunger and last year we were able to provide hundreds of thousands of meals to those Central Virginians most in need. We look forward to continuing to support local hunger relief efforts and other local charitable causes throughout 2011.”

Martin's donations during the past year within the Metro Richmond and Williamsburg communities as part of the company’s “Living Here, Giving Here” program, totaled more than $1 million in combined cash and product contributions. The donations supported local hunger relief organizations, the Salvation Army and other non-profit groups at the local level.

In addition to the $25,000 gift, the Central Virginia Food Bank last year received a $50,000 donation as part of Martin's grand opening festivities, 191,990 pounds of food (valued at $854,652) during the conversion and remodel process and 1,000 turkeys at Thanksgiving. Customers who utilized reusable bags directed bag credits in the amount of $28,314 to the Central Virginia Food Bank during the past year.