A routine grocery run in Silver Spring has turned into a half-million-dollar surprise after a Maryland Lottery "Gifts of Green" scratch-off delivered a $500,000 top prize this week. The winning ticket was picked up at a Giant grocery store in the White Oak area, and the shopper has already claimed the windfall. Because the payout is more than $25,000, the prize will be processed through the Lottery's claims center in Baltimore.
Ticket Sold at White Oak Giant
The lucky "Gifts of Green" ticket was sold at the Giant at 11221 New Hampshire Avenue in White Oak, according to WJLA. The station reports that the Silver Spring score was the Maryland Lottery's largest payout for the week of June 15 to 21 and part of a statewide haul that topped $32 million in prizes during that stretch.
Local site The MoCo Show adds that the winner, a Montgomery County woman, claimed the prize at Lottery headquarters and that the Giant will collect a $1,000 bonus for selling the ticket. Not a bad day for a neighborhood supermarket.
How Winners Claim a Big Prize
Because the payout exceeds $25,000, the winning ticket has to be redeemed by appointment at the Maryland Lottery Customer Resource Center in Baltimore, and many Lottery prizes must be claimed within 182 days, according to the Maryland Lottery. The agency urges winners to sign the back of their ticket, store it somewhere safe and bring two forms of identification, including one that shows a current address, when they come in to claim.
Tax withholdings apply to larger prizes, so even a jackpot comes with a reality check. Winners are cautioned to factor in both federal and state taxes before making big post-lottery plans.
Silver Spring's Recent Hot Streak
Silver Spring and nearby stores have been on a bit of a heater this year. In March, a Mega Millions ticket sold at a different Giant on New Hampshire Avenue paid a $4 million prize, underscoring how often the area has been a landing spot for large Lottery payouts. That earlier big win was reported by FOX 5. Retailers that sell high-value tickets typically receive a modest bonus from the Lottery, which serves as a small but welcome perk for local businesses.
Players who think they might be holding a winning "Gifts of Green" ticket are urged to sign the back, keep it in a secure place and schedule a claim appointment with the Lottery. For the original report and a weekly roundup of winners, see WJLA.
