Publix Charities Donates $5 Million to Feeding America Network

Bringing More to the Table

LAKELAND, Fla.--()--Publix Super Markets Charities announced today it will donate $5 million to the Feeding America® network, including 28 member food banks and 38 of their local partner agencies across Publix’s operating area. The donation will provide funding to assist in the transportation and program needs of the food banks and agencies. This year’s $5 million contribution to the Feeding America network is more than three times the amount previously given in any year.

This generous donation continues Publix Super Markets Charities’ commitment to meeting the basic needs of the communities it serves. Food banks are in need of funding to support emergency food boxes, senior feeding initiatives and kids back pack programs. Refrigerated trucks are also needed to transport perishable items that are donated by food retailers. To help meet these needs, the following 28 Feeding America member food banks will receive a gift of $100,000 - $200,000 from the Foundation:

Food Bank     Location     Donation
Alabama            
Community Food Bank of Central Alabama     Birmingham     $200,000
Feeding the Gulf Coast     Theodore     $150,000
Food Bank of North Alabama     Huntsville     $100,000
Montgomery Area Food Bank     Montgomery     $150,000
             
Florida            
All Faiths Food Bank     Sarasota     $200,000
America's Second Harvest of the Big Bend     Tallahassee     $100,000
Feeding Northeast Florida     Jacksonville     $150,000
Feeding South Florida     Pembroke Park     $200,000
Feeding Tampa Bay     Tampa     $175,000
Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida     Fort Myers     $100,000
Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida     Orlando     $200,000
Treasure Coast Food Bank     Fort Pierce     $100,000
             
Georgia            
America's Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia     Savannah     $200,000
Atlanta Community Food Bank     Atlanta     $200,000
Feeding the Valley Food Bank     Columbus     $100,000
Food Bank of Northeast Georgia     Athens     $150,000
Golden Harvest Food Bank     Augusta     $100,000
Middle Georgia Community Food Bank     Macon     $150,000
Second Harvest of South Georgia     Valdosta     $150,000
             
North Carolina            
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina     Raleigh     $200,000
Inter-Faith Food Shuttle     Raleigh     $100,000
MANNA Food Bank     Asheville     $150,000
Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina     Charlotte     $200,000
             
South Carolina            
Harvest Hope Food Bank     Columbia     $150,000
Lowcountry Food Bank     Charleston     $150,000
             
Tennessee            
Chattanooga Area Food Bank     Chattanooga     $150,000
Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee     Maryville     $100,000
Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee     Nashville     $150,000

This funding will assist more than 10,000 agencies served by the member food banks.

In related efforts, the Foundation also will give 38 local food bank partner agencies funding to help meet localized community needs:

Partner Agencies     Location     Donation
Alabama            
Cullman Caring for Kids     Cullman     $20,000
Prodisee Pantry     Spanish Fort     $20,000
The Jimmie Hale Mission     Birmingham     $20,000
             
Florida            
Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry     Jacksonville     $20,000
Boca Helping Hands     Boca Raton     $20,000
Bread of the Mighty Food Bank     Gainesville     $20,000
Charlotte County Homeless Coalition     Port Charlotte     $20,000
Christian Help Foundation     Casselberry     $20,000
Faith Farm Ministries     Boynton Beach     $20,000
Family Resource Center     Naples     $20,000
First Baptist Church of Islamorada     Islamorada     $10,000
Guadalupe Social Services     Immokalee     $26,500
Heart of Putnam Food Pantry     Palatka     $10,000
Heartland Food Reservoir     Sebring     $10,000
H.E.L.P. Ministries     Largo     $10,000
Lake Cares Food Pantry     Mt. Dora     $20,000
Leesburg Food Bank     Leesburg     $20,000
Neighborly Care Network     St. Petersburg     $20,000
Our Lady of Guadalupe Food Pantry     Wimauma     $10,000
Star of the Sea Outreach Mission     Key West     $20,000
The Food Pantry of Indian River County     Vero Beach     $20,000
The Soup Kitchen     Boynton Beach     $20,000
The Volunteer Way     New Port Richey     $10,000
United Food Bank of Plant City     Plant City     $20,000
             
Georgia            
Action Ministries     Atlanta     $20,000
Athens Area Emergency Food Bank     Athens     $10,000
Downtown Cooperative Church Ministries     Augusta     $10,000
Macon Outreach at Mulberry     Macon     $20,000
The Center of Family Resources     Marietta     $20,000
Valley Rescue Mission     Columbus     $20,000
             
North Carolina            
Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry     Asheville     $20,000
Loaves and Fishes     Charlotte     $20,000
             
South Carolina            
Anderson Interfaith Ministries     Anderson     $20,000
Food Bank of Greenwood County     Greenwood     $20,000
Midland Park Community Ministries     North Charleston     $10,000
             
Tennessee            
Grace Works Ministries     Franklin     $20,000
Greenhouse Ministries     Murfreesboro     $20,000
Knox Area Rescue Mission     Knoxville     $20,000

According to the USDA, more than 48 million Americans live in food insecure households, including 15.3 million children. People who struggle with food insecurity are unable to consistently access enough nutritious food necessary for a healthy life. Although food insecurity is harmful to any individual, it can be particularly devastating among children due to their increased vulnerability and the potential for long-term consequences.

“The statistics are alarming especially as it pertains to our children,” said Carol Jenkins Barnett, president of Publix Super Markets Charities. “As we prepare for a new school year, many families are left grappling with the reality that they are food insecure. We continue to hear about the need for fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy from Feeding America. Our $5 million donation will help Feeding America member food banks and their local partner agencies with the procurement, collection, transportation and distribution of even more wholesome, perishable foods to children and families. Our Foundation is dedicated to giving the gift of nourishment and hope to our communities.”

As part of the Foundation’s $5 million gift, Feeding America will also receive a $100,000 donation to help provide an additional 1.1 million meals to individuals and families in need.

“Hunger is an issue that affects every community in our country. We are thankful to Publix Charities for its generous contribution to the Feeding America network, and for its commitment to addressing hunger,” said Matt Knott, President of Feeding America. “From refrigerated trucks that have the ability to move millions of meals within communities to feeding programs that reach children and the elderly, this donation will help to ensure that our member food banks are able to meet the needs of people who struggle with hunger.”

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 220 million pounds of perishable food to food banks, representing more than 183 million meals.

“As a food retailer, our single biggest opportunity to give back is in reducing 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 meet the needs of our neighbors.”

Due to Publix’s perishable recovery efforts, Feeding America named Publix an inaugural Visionary Partner in 2015.

“One in seven Americans struggles with food insecurity, and this hardship can have a lasting impact on their lives, from education to health to employment,” said Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam. “Publix Super Markets Charities’ generous contribution will not only help provide nutritious food to families in need, but has the potential to improve the lives of thousands of Americans.”

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 184,000 employees, with 2015 sales of $32.4 billion. Currently Publix has 1,124 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. The company has been named one of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” for 19 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.

Contacts

Publix Super Markets
Maria Brous, 863-680-5339

Contacts

Publix Super Markets
Maria Brous, 863-680-5339