LAKELAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Publix Super Markets Charities announced today it will donate $5 million to Feeding America® member food banks, schools and other nonprofit organizations all focused on alleviating hunger across Publix’s operating area. The donation will provide funding to assist in the transportation and childhood program needs of the food banks and nonprofit agencies. Over the past three years, Publix Super Market Charities has contributed more than $11.5 million to hunger related programs.
This generous donation continues Publix Super Markets Charities’ commitment to meeting the basic needs of the communities it serves. Food banks, schools and other nonprofits are in need of funding to support feeding programs such as emergency food boxes, Kids Cafés (program designed to provide free snacks and meals to kids in need at community locations during afterschool hours), school pantries and back pack programs. Refrigerated trucks are also needed to transport perishable items that are donated by food retailers. To help meet these needs, Feeding America and the following 31 member food banks within their network will receive a gift of $50,000 - $150,000 from the Foundation:
| Food Bank | Location | Donation | ||
| Alabama | ||||
| Community Food Bank of Central Alabama | Birmingham | $150,000 | ||
| Feeding the Gulf Coast | Theodore | $150,000 | ||
| Food Bank of North Alabama | Huntsville | $50,000 | ||
| Montgomery Area Food Bank | Montgomery | $150,000 | ||
| Florida | ||||
| All Faiths Food Bank | Sarasota | $150,000 | ||
| America's Second Harvest of the Big Bend | Tallahassee | $100,000 | ||
| Feeding Northeast Florida | Jacksonville | $150,000 | ||
| Feeding South Florida | Pembroke Park | $150,000 | ||
| Feeding Tampa Bay | Tampa | $100,000 | ||
| Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida | Fort Myers | $150,000 | ||
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida | Orlando | $150,000 | ||
| Treasure Coast Food Bank | Fort Pierce | $50,000 | ||
| Georgia | ||||
| America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia | Savannah | $150,000 | ||
| Atlanta Community Food Bank | Atlanta | $150,000 | ||
| Feeding the Valley Food Bank | Columbus | $50,000 | ||
| Food Bank of Northeast Georgia | Athens | $100,000 | ||
| Golden Harvest Food Bank | Augusta | $100,000 | ||
| Second Harvest of South Georgia | Valdosta | $50,000 | ||
| North Carolina | ||||
| Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina | Raleigh | $100,000 | ||
| Inter-Faith Food Shuttle | Raleigh | $50,000 | ||
| MANNA Foodbank | Asheville | $50,000 | ||
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina | Charlotte | $150,000 | ||
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Carolina | Winston-Salem | $50,000 | ||
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Southeast North Carolina | Fayetteville | $50,000 | ||
| South Carolina | ||||
| Harvest Hope Food Bank | Columbia | $150,000 | ||
| Lowcountry Food Bank | Charleston | $150,000 | ||
| Tennessee | ||||
| Chattanooga Area Food Bank | Chattanooga | $100,000 | ||
| Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee | Maryville | $50,000 | ||
| Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee | Nashville | $100,000 | ||
| Virginia | ||||
| Feeding America Southwest Virginia | Bristol | $50,000 | ||
| FeedMore | Richmond | $100,000 | ||
This funding will assist more than 10,700 agencies served by the member food banks.
In related efforts, the Foundation also will give an additional 77 local food banks, 57 back pack programs and 26 school pantries funding to help meet localized community needs. The $5 million donation will benefit a total of 192 nonprofit agencies throughout the Southeast.
“For more than 50 years, we have been nourishing the communities in which Publix operates,” said Carol Jenkins Barnett, president of Publix Super Markets Charities. “Through these efforts, we’ve supported early education programs and the plight of the hungry and homeless, recognizing the importance of education and proper nutrition. We believe every child deserves to have hope, love and joy. Our Foundation is dedicated to giving these gifts of nourishment and hope to our communities.”
According to the USDA, more than 42 million Americans live in food insecure households, including 13 million children. One in six children may not know where their next meal is coming from, and getting the energy they need to learn and grow can be a daily challenge. Although food insecurity is harmful to any individual, it can be particularly devastating for children due to their increased vulnerability and the potential for long-term consequences.
“Proper nutrition is critical to a child’s growth and development, yet 13 million children face hunger,” said Matt Knott, president of Feeding America. “For years, Publix has been a strong partner to the Feeding America network of food banks, supporting our efforts to help children in need. We are thankful for this generous gift from Publix Charities, which will allow our network to provide even more nutrient-rich meals to children in Publix’s communities.”
Publix’s Perishable Recovery Program
In 2007, Publix piloted an in-store perishable recovery program to benefit the Feeding America network of food banks. Fresh departments across the store, including deli, meat, produce and dairy, gathered perishable, wholesome foods that were safe for consumption, but unsalable to donate to member food banks. In 2009, the pilot expanded, and a companywide rollout occurred in 2010. To date, the company has donated more than 285 million pounds of perishable food to food banks, representing more than 235 million meals. Due to these efforts, Feeding America named Publix a Visionary Partner in 2015.
“As a food retailer, our single biggest opportunity to give back is in alleviating hunger,” said Maria Brous, Publix director of media and community relations. “Our perishable recovery program is just one example of our associates’ commitment to make our communities a better place. By donating much needed wholesome foods, we’re helping our local food banks, schools and nonprofit organizations meet the needs of children and families in our communities.”
Publix’s Food For Sharing Program
Food For Sharing provides an opportunity for Publix associates and customers to continue showing that they care by donating food to those in need. Donation cards representing three predesignated levels of giving are made available at the checkout. Once the customer selects a donation level, the cashier scans the card, and the amount is added to the customer’s order. Customers also have the opportunity to donate any amount they wish to help feed the hungry.
Last year, Publix associates and customers donated over $14 million to Food For Sharing, and since 2009, have donated more than $60 million. This year’s campaign will run in-store September 1 – 22.
About Publix Super Markets Charities
George Jenkins, founder of Publix Super Markets and affectionately known as “Mr. George,” believed in giving. From the day he opened his first Publix, he made sure his associates, customers and community were taken care of. In 1966, Mr. George established the Foundation with the vision it would continue giving long after he was gone. Under the leadership of Carol Jenkins Barnett, Mr. George’s daughter, Publix Super Markets Charities remains committed to serving the communities in which Publix operates. To learn more, visit www.publixcharities.org.
About Publix Super Markets
Publix is privately owned and operated by its 188,000 employees, with 2016 sales of $34 billion. Currently Publix has 1,154 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. The company has been named one of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” for 20 consecutive years. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s website, corporate.publix.com.
