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LAKELAND, Fla.- During Hunger Action Month, Publix is showcasing its many ways in which it aids in reducing hunger all year long.
One in nine Americans suffers from food insecurity according to Feeding America, and more than 8 million people suffer food insecurity in Publix’s seven-state service area.
As a retailer of foods, Publix is committed to providing food to people in need in the communities it serves.
“Having food on the table is an essential need that millions of people throughout our communities struggle with every day. As a food retailer, helping provide nourishing meals to our neighbors in need is at the heart of who we are,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “It is our privilege to join our customers in helping to alleviate hunger and do good together for our communities.”
Since April of 2020, Publix has donated more than 33 million pounds of food to Feeding America Food Banks that are members through its Farmers and Families initiative as well as its Feeding More Together initiative.
Through the initiative for farmers and families that was launched in the year 2000 the company bought the equivalent of 18 million pounds fresh produce and 500, 000 gallons of milk for Feeding America member food banks. Publix bought the dairy and other produce from Southeastern farmers who had to shut down their businesses when restaurants and schools closed because of the pandemic.
When Publix was informed that food banks were suffering from an acute food shortage due to increasing demand as the holidays were approaching in December The company announced the program over the course of six weeks to assist six of the largest food banks. With this initiative, Publix donated nearly 1.2 million pounds of pasta, canned veggies and cereal, canned beans, and boxes of potatoes. Six participating Feeding America member food banks together serve more than 46 counties of Florida.
Publix has continued its hunger reduction efforts by launching the Feeding More Together campaign this March. The program allows customers to give money at the register to purchase non-perishable food items to the local food bank. Publix later matched donations from customers by purchasing an equal value of fresh fruit and vegetables that was then distributed towards Feeding America member food banks.
The initial Feeding More Together campaign raised almost $5 million in donations. It is expected that the Feeding More Together program will continue this autumn, on Nov. 4-15.
In addition, each day in Publix stores, staff members collect essential, nutritious, but unsalvable dairy, deli , and meat products as well as fresh items for food banks to donate across the seven states of operation region. In the year 2019, Publix announced the company had given nearly $2 billion via their food recovery programs. It also promised an additional $2 billion worth of food donation by 2030.
In September, Publix Super Markets Charities will make a donation of $5.5 millions to 300 Feeding America member food banks and other non-profit organisations as part of its ongoing commitment to fight hunger and aid local communities in the Publix operating region.
“So many of our neighbors continue to struggle with having enough food to eat, but together, we can help change that,” said Kelly Williams-Puccio, executive director of Publix Super Markets Charities. “We are proud to continue our commitment of providing hope through nourishment for our neighbors in need.”
“Since the start of the pandemic, we have seen an increase in the number of people turning to Feeding America member food banks for help, many of them for the first time,” said Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot. “We are incredibly grateful to Publix and Publix Super Markets Charities for finding new, innovative ways to help serve our neighbors and for their long-standing commitment to alleviating hunger.”
Visit publix.com/hunger to find out more about Publix’s hunger relief initiatives Learn how you can assist in alleviating the hunger in your area and find a list Feeding America member food bank donation recipients.
About Publix Super Markets
Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 225,000 associates, currently operates 1,282 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. For 24 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. 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.
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. Publix Super Markets Charities remains committed to serving the communities in which Publix operates. To learn more, visit publixcharities.org.
About Feeding America
Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of nearly 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 40 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. To learn more, visit feedingamerica.org.
Contacts
Maria Brous
(863) 680-5339
Source : BUSINESS WIRE
