Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers Inc., together with the SEG Gives Foundation, is promoting education opportunities for students, schools and supporting organizations throughout the communities it serves.
In support of early literacy, the Winn-Dixie Gives and Harveys Supermarket Gives Foundations have partnered with the Library Foundation of Jacksonville to provide a $50,000 grant to refresh its JaxKids Book Club.
The grant – which highlights Southeastern Grocers’ commitment to belonging, inclusion and diversity – funded a new set of eight books created by diverse local authors and illustrators to reflect Jacksonville’s multicultural community. The books will be distributed this fall to about 8,000 children in voluntary pre-kindergarten classrooms.
Southeastern Grocers will also host book readings in area classrooms, local libraries and provide immersive in-store experiences that align with the set of books.
Winn-Dixie also has joined forces with Tony the Tiger and Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Mission Tiger to aid area physical education and extracurricular athletic programs, including a $25,000 donation to Ribault Middle School in Jacksonville and a $32,139 donation to Langston Hughes Academy in New Orleans. The partnership also includes a donation of $20,000 and 100 books to four Lee County middle schools that were impacted by Hurricane Ian.
“We know that education serves as a foundation for children to build the skills and confidence they need for lifelong success,” said Raymond Rhee, chief people officer.
“It’s important to our associates and customers to champion our neighborhood schools, along with organizations dedicated to fostering vibrant, inclusive communities. Our goal is to empower young minds and hearts through these programs so they can flourish to become the leaders of tomorrow.”
Additionally, Southeastern Grocers will donate more than $150,000 to more than 420 K-12 schools and school districts throughout the Southeast as part of its third annual in-store community donation program. This effort was made possible due to employees and customers who donated in all Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores to help fund school resources and educational programs.
Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant
Southeastern Grocers is also accepting applications from nonprofits throughout the Southeast for its 2023 Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant. The grant supports organizations that work to address racial disparities in education, health care and food insecurity.
Nonprofit organizations with missions to elevate underserved communities throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi are encouraged to apply at seggives.com/grantapp through Sept. 30 to be considered for a grant ranging from $5,000-25,000.
