Giant Food demonstrated its commitment to community support with a $5,000 donation to Liberty Sports Park during the grand opening celebration of its newest store in Bowie’s South Lake Marketplace development.
The donation was presented to Thomas M. Graham, chairman of the Green Branch Foundation, the non-profit organization that manages Liberty Sports Park which is directly adjacent to South Lakes Marketplace. The funds will support the sports complex’s mission to provide tournament-ready facilities and expanded athletic opportunities for youth throughout Prince George’s County and beyond.
“As a dedicated community partner, Giant Food is proud to support the neighborhoods we serve,” said Ira Kress, president of Giant Food. “Liberty Sports Park has had a tremendous impact on the local economy since opening in 2022, and we’re excited to make this contribution which will benefit the park as well as South Lake Marketplace.”
Liberty Sports Park, which opened in 2022, has quickly established itself as a premier sports destination in the mid-Atlantic region. The complex features six turf and four grass lit fields hosting tournaments for lacrosse, soccer, football, field hockey, and rugby. In its first year alone, the park hosted more than 40 tournaments ranging from youth competitions to international events.
“Giant Food’s generous donation will help us enhance the experience for the more than 300,000 visitors who come through our gates annually,” said Graham. “The unique integration of our sports complex with South Lake Marketplace just steps from the fields creates a winning combination for athletes, families, and businesses alike. This partnership shows how sports tourism and retail can thrive together.”
The 66,000-square-foot Giant Food store, which opened on March 28, serves as the anchor tenant for South Lake Marketplace developed by NAI Michael. The store features full-service meat and seafood departments, an expanded gourmet cheese selection, freshly made sushi, a Starbucks, and Giant’s 50th Ledo Pizza Corner Shoppe.
The relationship between Liberty Sports Park and South Lake Marketplace represents an innovative approach to mixed-use development, with tournament attendees enjoying the convenience of nearby shopping and dining options while retailers benefit from consistent visitor traffic throughout the year.
About Giant Food
Since opening its first location in Washington, D.C., in 1936, Giant has been an integral part of the communities and customers it serves. Giant is committed to being a Better Neighbor and has designated four main giving pillars that address local Food Insecurity, Military Support, Pediatric Cancer Research, and Social Equality. Giant is headquartered in Landover, Md., and operates 164 supermarkets in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia with approximately 20,000 associates. For more information on Giant Food, visit giantfood.com.
About Liberty Sports Park
Liberty Sports Park, managed by Green Branch Management Group, a community-based nonprofit organization, opened in 2022 and has quickly become the premier sports destination in the mid-Atlantic region. The complex features six turf and four grass lit fields hosting tournaments for multiple sports including lacrosse, soccer, football, field hockey, and rugby. Liberty Sports Park relies on community support to maintain tournament-ready fields while providing economic benefits to the surrounding area through increased local spending and hundreds of employment opportunities in Prince George’s County and Maryland. For more information, visit www.libertysportspark.com.
