Supervalu’s Chicago-based Jewel-Osco subsidiary will present over $2 million in cash and food donations to five major food banks and scores of food pantries in Illinois and northwest Indiana as part of its “Hunger Relief Grant Program.”

Coordinated in partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Northern Illinois Food Bank and the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, the program will contribute a total of $300,000 in grants to 175 food pantries, which will be earmarked for refrigeration units, stoves, shelving units, food credits and other resources designed to improve the facilities’ operational efficiency.

In its second year of operation, the supermarket and drug retailer’s Hunger Relief Grant Program benefits qualified food pantries, which can apply for grants of up to $2,500 to improve their operational efficiency, including food bank credits of up to $750, which are administered directly through the food banks.

In addition, Jewel-Osco will also present another separate donation of more than $1.9 million to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, the Northern Illinois Food Bank, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, the Midwest Food Bank and the River Bend Food Bank as a result of donations collected during the retailer’s “Hunger Action Month” food drive campaign in September.

“Hunger relief is a key focus area for Jewel-Osco,” said Keith Nielsen, president of the 182-store regional supermarket chain that operates stores in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. “These difficult economic times have impacted many families. Our company and associates will continue to support the important work being carried out by the food banks — and their network of local food pantries — participating in our Hunger Relief Grant Program and Hunger Action Month activities.”