LAKELAND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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.
