The Cardenas Markets Foundation, the charitable arm of Ontario, California-based Cardenas Markets, a Heritage Grocers Group banner, raised almost $900,000 at its 22nd annual golf tournament, held Sept. 21 at Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club.
Proceeds will support the foundation’s scholarships along with its hunger relief, disaster response and health and wellness initiatives. The event brought together vendor partners, Heritage Grocers Group team members and community advocates.
“The true measure of this event’s success is not the funds raised alone, but the lasting impact those resources will have on individuals, families, and communities,” said Adam Salgado, president of the Cardenas Markets Foundation and chief experience officer of Heritage Grocers Group. “Every scholarship awarded, every family supported, and every opportunity created begins with people who believe in giving back. We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity of our vendor partners, sponsors, and Team Members who make that impact possible.”
As part of the foundation’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, attendees heard from decorated U.S. Army veteran Ramon Padilla. Born in Tijuana, Mexico, Padilla served in Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan before overcoming life-changing combat injuries and dedicating himself to supporting fellow veterans and his community. The foundation presented a $1,000 donation to the Salute Military Golf Association on his behalf.
Other grocers are marking Hunger Action Month and backing youth sports, health organizations and domestic violence survivors.
Here’s a look at more grocers’ recent efforts.
Winn-Dixie
The Winn-Dixie Company, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is helping provide 1 million meals to people facing food insecurity during Hunger Action Month through a $100,000 donation to Feeding America. 
The donation, made with the company’s charitable arm, the Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation, sends $10,000 to each of 10 Feeding America partner food banks across Florida and southern Georgia: All Faiths Food Bank, Feeding Northeast Florida, Feeding South Florida, Feeding Tampa Bay, Feeding the Gulf Coast, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida, Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Second Harvest of the Big Bend and Treasure Coast Food Bank. The grocer also donated fresh produce and shelf-stable food to thousands of people through mobile food pantries with Feeding Northeast Florida and Feeding Tampa Bay.
“As a grocer, nourishing our communities is more than what we do; it’s part of who we are,” said Raymond Rhee, president and CEO. “For more than a century, Winn-Dixie has stood alongside our neighbors, especially when support is needed most.”
Feeding America leads Hunger Action Month each September to spotlight food insecurity nationwide. Almost 48 million people in the U.S. face hunger each year, including one in five children, according to the USDA.
“Support from partners like The Winn-Dixie Company is critical in helping the Feeding America network deliver nutritious food to neighbors experiencing food insecurity while responding to the unique needs of their communities,” said Lisa Mann, chief development officer for Feeding America.
The campaign builds on the grocer’s year-round commitment to increasing access to nutritious food. Earlier this year, Winn-Dixie donated $150,000 to the Florida State Alliance of YMCAs to help provide meals and snacks to children during the summer. Customers also can buy prepackaged donation bags for $5, $10 or $15 at Winn-Dixie stores, and each bag goes to a local nonprofit that helps people experiencing hunger. Since the program launched in November 2025, it has generated more than $900,000 in donated products for more than 100 organizations across Florida and southern Georgia.
Publix
Publix Super Markets Charities donated $250,000 to help Bounty & Soul buy a new warehouse. The nonprofit food bank serves the Black Mountain, Swannanoa and greater Asheville areas of western North Carolina, and it pursued the facility after outgrowing its existing space. Volunteers will sort and prepare food for distribution in a dedicated area of the building, which will be named the Publix Charities Sorting Space and is expected to open in early 2027.
In 2025, Bounty & Soul provided relief to almost 290,000 people from more than 87,000 households. That year it also worked with 65 local farms and businesses, distributed more than 2 million pounds of produce, invested more than $1 million in the regional food economy and delivered almost 5,000 food boxes to homebound residents. After Hurricane Helene hit the region in fall 2024, Publix Charities funded a 26-foot box truck to support the organization’s expanded mobile pantry efforts. The charity has supported Bounty & Soul since 2018.
“Bounty & Soul has been a critical resource for western North Carolina families, especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene,” said John Doran, executive director of Publix Charities.
AWG
Associated Wholesale Grocers‘ AWG Cares recently awarded $3,000 grants to four nonprofits, each requested by AWG teammates:
- The American Heart Association, requested by Melanie Isemann of the AWG Support Center and Landon Godley of the Springfield Division Support Center.
- The Starfish Project Foundation in Olathe, Kansas, which rescues surplus food, clothing and household goods from commercial waste streams and redirects them to people in need, requested by Katy Winget of the AWG Support Center.
- Blood Cancer United, which funds blood cancer research and provides education and support services, requested by Alan Baer of the AWG Support Center.
- Safe Harbor Northshore in Pearl River, Louisiana, which supports domestic violence survivors and their children in Louisiana’s Northshore communities, requested by Jennifer Rabalais of the Gulf Coast Division Support Center.
AWG is headquartered in Kansas City, Kansas.
Tops
Tops Friendly Markets, based in Williamsville, New York, awarded $5,000 grants to three youth soccer organizations. Customers nominated the groups in June and July through a sweepstakes tied to this summer’s international soccer tournament in North America. The winners are Chili Soccer Association in Rochester, New York; the Amherst Soccer Association’s U16 Rangers in Williamsville; and Crawford County Youth Soccer Association in Meadville, Pennsylvania. Tops received hundreds of nominations, and the three customers who nominated the winners each received a $500 gift card.
“The exciting summer of soccer in the U.S. reminded us of the power of sports to bring people together and build confidence and teamwork among aspiring young athletes,” said Ron Ferri, president of Tops Markets.