Last updated on September 19th, 2022
Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers, parent company and home of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, is donating 1,125,000 meals to Feeding America in support of Hunger Action Month and the organization’s efforts to end hunger. The grocer will partner with Feeding America to raise awareness with a $100,000 donation as well as 150,000 pounds of food to local communities through mobile food pantry events.
To help the more than 54 million people projected to face hunger in the wake of the pandemic, SEG and the SEG Gives Foundation will host six drive-through food pantry events in partnership with Feeding America member food banks. The mobile food pantries will provide 150,000 pounds of fresh produce and shelf-stable food to people in need throughout the communities SEG serves. In addition, SEG has partnered with Kruger Products to provide 1,500 packages of White Cloud bath tissue to neighbors in need.
“At Southeastern Grocers, we are dedicated to eliminating hunger in our local communities. As a grocer, it is our responsibility to nourish our communities and be a support system for our neighbors in need,” said Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of SEG. “This year has been especially difficult for millions of families and our commitment is to help make tomorrow a little brighter for our associates, customers and communities.”
Blake Thompson, chief supply chain officer at Feeding America, said, “As families in America are still struggling to put food on their tables, we need support now more than ever. We are grateful to Southeastern Grocers for their long-standing commitment of giving back to communities in need during Hunger Action Month and beyond.”
Upcoming events
Drive-through food pantry events will take place in the following cities, and community members in need are encouraged to reach out to their local participating food bank for more details:
- Jacksonville, Florida: Tuesday, Sept. 15, in partnership with Feeding Northeast Florida; 5461 Commonwealth Ave.;
- Montgomery, Alabama: Friday, Sept. 18, in partnership with Montgomery Area Food Bank; 4233 Atlanta Highway;
- Greenville, South Carolina: Monday, Sept. 21, in partnership with Harvest Hope Food Bank; 2818 White Horse Road;
- New Orleans, Louisiana: Wednesday, Sept. 23, in partnership with Second Harvest of South Louisiana; 3400 Tulane Ave., #1000;
- Tampa, Florida: Thursday, Sept. 24, in partnership with Feeding Tampa Bay; Hillsborough County;
- Lehigh Acres, Florida: Saturday, Oct. 10, in partnership with Lehigh Community Services; 1311 Edward Ave.
Additionally, SEG is supporting Feeding America through the grocer’s Positive Change Round Up Campaign. Customers are encouraged to donate spare change at the register or purchase a $5 virtual food bag to help support food-insecure neighbors in need now through Sept. 29. The campaign is aimed to help minimize the impact of the current nationwide coin shortage while also providing support to various charitable organizations committed to serving individuals and families in need through the remainder of the year. All change donated will be electronically collected and the total will round up to the nearest dollar to ensure every cent makes a difference.
Customers looking for more ways to give back during Hunger Action Month can also participate in SEG’s Share a Meal program, in partnership with The Coca-Cola Co., by purchasing a qualifying meal in any BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie deli department now through Dec. 31. Qualifying items include rotisserie chicken, mixed eight-piece baked chicken or mixed eight-piece fried chicken, with Coca-Cola products including Gold Peak Tea or smartwater.
