Genuardi Family Foundation Gifts $1 Million to Elmwood Park Zoo

Elmwood Park Zoo is excited to announce it has received a $1 million donation from the Genuardi Family Foundation. The gift is in support of the zoo’s efforts to expand its development across the Stony Creek and is one of the largest in the zoo’s 97-year history.

Elmwood Park Zoo’s future expansion relies on being able to access the more than 20 acres of land that run adjacent to the zoo’s current footprint. The Genuardi Family Foundation’s gift will fund the construction of a 100 ft long vehicle and pedestrian bridge that spans the creek. The bridge is the crucial first step in allowing the zoo to develop the land for future animal enclosures, guest amenities and more. Learn more about the zoo’s Master Plan and Centennial Campaign here.

The Genuardi Family Foundation was established in 2001 by nine cousins of the third generation of the Genuardi family of Norristown as a means of giving back to the communities that supported their supermarket business. For over two decades, the Genuardi Family Foundation has helped fund a number of Elmwood Park Zoo’s initiatives, including its extensive animal husbandry programs, as well as its education programs for low income and special needs groups. “Our Board is pleased to support Elmwood Park Zoo at a crucial moment in its expansion,” said Beth Genuardi Borrelli, President of the Genuardi Family Foundation. “Families all over our region will continue to benefit immensely from the Zoo’s commitment to improving its exhibits and facilities, ensuring wonderful memories for future generations.”

“We are deeply thankful for the Genuardi Family Foundation’s tremendous generosity,” said Al Zone,  Elmwood Park Zoo’s Executive Director and CEO. “Their support will get the ball rolling on  the bridge across Stony Creek as well as our exciting plans for the future.”
“The gift from The Genuardi Family Foundation gets us one step closer to a whole new era for the zoo,” said Jennifer Conti, Elmwood Park Zoo’s Director of Development. “It opens up our ability to enhance our existing facility and create new and exciting adventures for our guests to enjoy.”

J. P. MASCARO & SONS FOUNDATIONS DONATES $2 MILLION FOR NEW TIGER EXHIBIT

Elmwood Park Zoo is excited to announce it has received a $2 million donation from J. P. Mascaro & Sons Foundations for the design and construction of a brand new Amur tiger exhibit. It will be the first time in the zoo’s 95-year history that tigers will be a part of its collection. The exhibit is slated to open in 2022.

Amur (also known as Siberian) tigers are the largest cats in the world. It is a highly threatened species, but wild populations can still be found throughout the forests of eastern Russia, as well as some areas in China and possibly North Korea. The tigers will be joining the zoo’s collection of “big” cats on exhibit, which currently includes jaguars and cougars.

“J. P. Mascaro & Sons Foundations has provided a tremendous amount of support to the community for many, many years. It’s truly inspiring,” said Al Zone, Elmwood Park Zoo Executive Director and CEO. “They’ve also funded several of the zoo’s programs and services, which has benefited thousands of our guests and the people we meet in our community outreach. J. P. Mascaro & Sons Foundations has helped the zoo to grow and succeed, and their gift of a new tiger exhibit promises to take us to a whole new level.”

The J. P. Mascaro & Sons Foundations donation is being made in memory of Francesco A. Mascaro and Rosemarie Mascaro Venditti, both of whom are siblings of Mascaro company owners, Pat, Joseph, Michael and Louis Mascaro.

“The Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown is a quality operation that is enjoyed by local area residents. Our family has its roots in the Norristown area, and we are happy to be able to make the zoo’s new tiger exhibit a reality,” said Joseph P. Mascaro, Jr., the oldest of the Mascaro brothers. “My brother Frank always had a soft spot in his heart for the zoo, and no one loved animals more than my sister, Rosie. Our company is pleased to make this tiger exhibit donation to the zoo in their memory.”

Mascaro company President, Pat Mascaro, said, “Donations like this to the zoo in memory of my brother Frank and my sister, Rosie, and donations that our company is able to make to other deserving community programs, groups and organizations, are only possible because of the thousands of customers who do business with J. P. Mascaro & Sons, and because of our dedicated company employees who serve those customers. I want to give a special thank you to those customers and employees.”