The Giant Company has announced the creation of a $250,000 emergency grant program in partnership with Team Pennsylvania, which it said will support small businesses in Pennsylvania’s food supply chain impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Any small business with 250 or fewer employees that is involved in growing, making or processing food within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is eligible to apply, according to program criteria posted online.

The maximum award amount is $15,000 per business, and applications are being accepted online through April 24.

“As Pennsylvania’s second-largest private employer and as a company that has been able to continue operating during the coronavirus pandemic, the Giant Company has a responsibility to help mitigate the economic impact in the Commonwealth,” said Giant president Nicholas Bertram in a news release Friday. “From family farms to local food artisans and manufacturers throughout the rest of the supply chain, small businesses are hurting, and livelihoods are at risk. These men and women are instrumental in feeding Pennsylvanians, and we want to do our part to help them in their time of need.”

“Bringing the public and private sectors together to solve our biggest challenges is what we do at Team Pennsylvania,” added Team Pennsylvania president Ryan Unger. “We are proud and grateful to partner with the Giant Company on this endeavor that will provide some relief to companies in the Commonwealth working tirelessly to keep our agricultural economy and food supply going.”

For additional information on criteria and to apply for a grant visit the Team Pennsylvania website.

Recipients will be notified of their awards in early May, Giant said.

“Our collaboration with Team Pennsylvania is the latest effort Giant is undertaking as we do our part to help the Commonwealth through the pandemic,” said Bertram. “With these emergency grants, we hope to provide some relief to keep people employed, strengthen businesses, and keep Pennsylvanians fed–now and in the future.”

The Giant Company has made a number of adjustments to its store operations as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, including the installation of sneezeguards and social distancing markers, the creation of one-way aisles and limiting the number of items customers may purchase in certain key categories, such as toilet paper.