The Giant Company, a supermarket chain that operates stores in Pennsylvania and other states, announced Monday 110 recipients of its emergency grants program.

One of the companies in line to receive a grant is Brenckle's Organic Farm and Greenhouse in Zelienople.

“We're a small business,” said Thomas Brenckle, owner and operator of the company. “We sell quality.”

The business applied for a $15,000 grant to replace losses caused this spring by pandemic-induced regulations, according to Brenckle. The amount it will receive has not been determined.

Brenckle said his business employs four to five workers at a time. Among the things Brenckle's sells are organic vegetables, sweet corn and flowers.

Brenckle's isn't just part of local diets. It also grows extra crops and donates food to regional organizations like the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.

“We've always donated to the food banks,” Brenckle said.

Overwhelming response to program

In April, The Giant Company initially designated $250,000 for the grant program in partnership with the nonprofit organization Team Pennsylvania.

Small businesses in the state's food-supply chain impacted by the coronavirus pandemic were eligible for funding.

Overwhelming response for the grant program led The Giant Company to increase available funding to $500,000.

The Giant Company received more than 500 applications during the grant program's two-week application period. The businesses that won a grant represent many areas of food, from farms to processors to shops.

“The pandemic is having a devastating impact on our small- business community,” said Nicholas Bertram, president of The Giant Company, in a news release Monday. “We're inspired by the strength and stories of these local businesses that, in many cases, have been serving our communities for generations.”

Ryan Unger, president and CEO of Team Pennsylvania, said in the same release the grant applications suggested many business owners in the agricultural supply chain need support at this time.

“Their experiences will inform us as we work with our economic development and public sector partners to reopen and recover,” Unger said.

Grants range from $2,500 to $15,000. Of the recipients, 55 percent are PA Preferred companies. Special designation companies, like minority- or veteran-owned, comprise more than half of the grants.

The Giant Company and Team Pennsylvania worked with the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, the Pennsylvania Chamber and Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association to develop the grant program.

A full list of winners is available on the Team Pennsylvania website www.teampa.com.