Southeastern Grocers Announces Annual Grant Program to Support Equity in Local Communities

Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant now open for nonprofit organizations to apply

The MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation was named a 2020 recipient of the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity grant to help sustain its efforts in expanding possibilities for young students of color. (Photo: Business Wire)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--()--Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, today announces the opening of applications for the 2021 Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant, a program that supports local nonprofits by addressing racial disparities in health care, food insecurity and education.

Now through Sept. 30, organizations supporting underserved populations throughout SEG’s five-state footprint are encouraged to apply online for grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. The SEG Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Committee, a group of nine associates and leaders from diverse backgrounds, will review all applications for consideration and announce selected organizations on Oct. 29, 2021, the grant namesake’s 102nd birthday. The grant program reaffirms SEG’s steadfast commitment to racial equity and social justice by offering qualified nonprofits opportunities to receive financial support to help level the playing field for individuals of all backgrounds.

Elizabeth Thompson, Chief People Officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “At Southeastern Grocers, we embrace diversity by advocating for social justice and positive change, and we wholeheartedly commit to a culture that fosters a sense of inclusion and empowerment. As a people-first company, we proudly stand with our neighbors by offering meaningful solutions that provide sustainable opportunities to enrich the lives of underserved and underrepresented individuals and organizations.”

In its inaugural year, the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant awarded $100,000 in funding to nine deserving community organizations, including the Louisiana Center for Health Equity in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation in Jacksonville and The Society of St. Andrew in Orlando, among others.

This year, to drive support and bring further awareness to the cause, the SEG Gives Foundation hosted a community donation program during Black History Month to raise additional funds for the grant program. Thanks to the support of generous customers, the 2021 Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant will be able to support additional nonprofits, allowing more communities to benefit from the program.

Terri Florio, Executive Director of the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, said, “The MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation was truly honored to be named a 2020 recipient of the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity grant to help sustain our efforts in expanding possibilities for young students of color. We are deeply appreciative for the generous funding received from the SEG Gives Foundation to support our foundation in addressing racial disparities in education by providing after-school programs, summer youth development enrichment and enhanced academic support.”

SEG is committed to cultivating a culture of belonging and inclusion that directly reflects the diverse communities it serves. Through the grocer’s longstanding partnerships with organizations like the American Red Cross, Feeding America, Folds of Honor and others, SEG can help amplify the voices of underrepresented sectors of the community that are often left unheard.

Community organizations throughout SEG’s five-state footprint are invited to apply for grant funds to help address racial disparities in health care, food insecurity and education. For additional information about applying for the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant program, or to submit an application, visit www.seggives.com/grantapp.

More About the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Namesake
The namesake for the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Program is a 101-year-old Winn-Dixie associate, Romay Davis. During a time when women and people of color faced restricted rights, Ms. Romay consistently broke barriers by challenging society’s limited beliefs with unfathomable accomplishments, such as being a WWII Private First Class veteran, NYU multi-degree scholar, New York fashion designer and model, Taekwondo Black Belt, community advocate and much more. At the young age of 80, Ms. Romay rejoined the workforce as a Winn-Dixie associate. After two decades of working for the grocer, Winn-Dixie’s parent company, Southeastern Grocers, honored Ms. Romay as the namesake of a program that supports the fight for racial equity and social justice. Ms. Romay’s life is an inspiration to all and her incredible legacy will live on through the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant.

About Southeastern Grocers
Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is one of the largest conventional supermarket companies in the U.S. SEG grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies serve communities throughout the five southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie are well-known and well-respected regional brands with deep heritages, strong neighborhood ties, proud histories of giving back, talented and caring associates and strong commitments to providing the best possible quality and value to customers. For more information, visit www.frescoymas.com, www.harveyssupermarkets.com and www.winndixie.com.

About SEG Gives Foundation
SEG Gives Foundation is the charitable arm of Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores. The SEG Gives Foundation aligns giving with causes that are priorities to the communities SEG serves, including the fight against hunger, support for military service members and their families, relief to those affected by extreme weather and natural disasters and quality educational opportunities for students. Southeastern Grocers strives to be ingrained in its communities and, through the SEG Gives Foundation, better the lives of its customers and neighbors.

Contacts

For SEG interviews or images contact:
Meredith Hurley
Director of Public Relations and Community
Cell: (904) 612-9441
media@segrocers.com

Release Summary

Southeastern Grocers Announces Annual Grant Program to Support Equity in Local Communities

Contacts

For SEG interviews or images contact:
Meredith Hurley
Director of Public Relations and Community
Cell: (904) 612-9441
media@segrocers.com