Publix Super Markets Charities Donates $1.5 Million to Feeding America, Launches Food Convoy at Feeding South Florida
LAKELAND, Fla., Nov. 5, 2015: Publix Super Markets Charities (PSMC) announced today it would donate $1.5 million to Feeding America®, the nation’s leading domestic hunger-relief charity, and 12 member food banks across Publix’s operating area. The donation will provide funding to assist in the transportation needs of the food banks.
This generous donation continues the Foundation’s commitment to meeting the basic needs of the communities it serves. Food banks are in need of refrigerated trucks to transport perishable items that are donated by food retailers. To help meet this need, the following 12 member food banks will each receive a $120,000 donation to acquire refrigerated trucks:
Alabama
- Bay Area Food Bank
Florida
- Feeding Tampa Bay
- Feeding Northeast Florida
- Feeding South Florida
- Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida
- Treasure Coast Food Bank
Georgia
- Atlanta Community Food Bank
North Carolina
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
South Carolina
- Harvest Hope Food Bank
- Lowcountry Food Bank
Tennessee
- Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
The funding received by the 12 Feeding America member food banks will assist more than 4,800 agencies served by their programs.
According to the USDA, more than 48 million Americans live in food insecure households, this includes 15 million children. This means hunger is a reality for one in seven people living in the United States.
“The statistics are staggering,” said Carol Jenkins Barnett president of Publix Super Markets Charities. “Hunger affects all walks of life in communities across the country. We continue to hear about the need for fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy from Feeding America member food banks. Our Foundation’s $1.5 million donation, will help the food banks collect, safely transport and distribute even more wholesome, perishable foods to our local communities.”
Feeding America also will receive a $60,000 contribution to be used toward its mission of feeding those who are hungry. Each $1 donated to Feeding America provides 11 meals. PSMC’s contribution will provide an additional 660,000 meals to individuals and families in need.
“Feeding America is thankful to Publix Super Markets Charities for its commitment to solving hunger in local communities,” said Nancy Curby, vice president of corporate partnerships at Feeding America. “This partnership helps to ensure that member food banks are equipped to transport more of the most needed food items to families who struggle with hunger.”
Publix Partners with Feeding America
In related efforts, Publix Super Markets will donate a trailer-load of food to each of the 12 Feeding America food bank members, totaling more than $660,000. Each trailer donation will include 22 pallets of food items that are in high demand by food banks. Items include:
- Plumrose 1 lb. Hams
- Publix Concord Grape Jelly
- Publix Creamy Peanut Butter
- Publix Cut Green Beans
- Publix Fruit Cocktail
- Publix Long Grain Rice
- Publix Pasta Sauce
- Publix Premium 100% Apple Juice
- Publix Strawberry Fruit & Grain Bar
- Publix Toasted Oats Cereal
- Publix Whole Grain Spaghetti
- Sunkist Chunk Light Tuna in Water
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 food bank members. In 2009, the pilot expanded and a company-wide rollout occurred in 2010. To date, the company has donated more than 174 million pounds of perishable food to food banks representing almost 145 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 has named the company a 2015 Visionary Partner. Publix is being recognized for the more than 36 million pounds of food donated this year.
Involving the Community
Publix associates and customers have long helped in alleviating hunger within the communities in which they live and work by supporting the company’s Food For Sharing program. At checkout, customers can select one of three food recipes and add the purchase to their bill. Donated food items are then delivered to local food banks. This year’s in-store campaign will run Nov. 5 – 25. An additional opportunity to help nonprofit organizations whose focus is on hunger relief and self-sufficiency occurs in December during the company’s Food For All® campaign. Customers can donate $1, $3 or $5 and the donation is added to their bill. The monies are distributed to local nonprofit agencies, including the Feeding America network of food banks. Due to the generosity of its customers, the Publix campaign raised more than $3.3 million last year.
“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 that 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 176,500 employees, with 2014 sales of $30.6 billion. Currently Publix has 1,107 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 18 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.
