Publix decided to make a difference this September during Hunger Action Month, with plans to donate $5.5 million to more than 300 Feeding America member food banks and other nonprofits.
The Florida-based supermarket chain understands that these outlets provide a vital service to the communities they serve, so doing what it can to support local food facilitating operations is a must in the eyes of Publix, according to Chris Norberg, community relations manager for Publix Super Markets
With that understanding in mind, the food chain has gone above and beyond in their partnership with Second Harvest of the Big Bend. The Second Harvest of Tallahassee, a subsidiary company of the Big Bend operation, has a core objective of feeding the hungry and educating/engaging the community in the fight to end hunger.
“Publix is a long-standing community partner that has consistently supported Second Harvest’s mission and has made a huge difference in the lives of the people we serve,” said Second Harvest Director of Communications Shari Hubbard.
An example of that was the $80,000 check that was presented to Monique E. Van Pelt by Ken Wilson, the district manager for Publix in Tallahassee
Second Harvest plans to use these funds to purchase and support existing food assistance programs.
“Publix also is one of the food bank’s retail donation partners, providing thousands of pounds of canned and dry goods. Additionally, we are now receiving fresh produce from Publix as part of a new produce donation program,” Hubbard added.
Norberg addressed the relationship between the super market chain and Second Harvest, and what plans they have for the future.
“Publix takes pride in our long relationship with the Second Harvest of Big Bend. For years we have partnered to help alleviate hunger in the communities we serve so that residents do not have to wonder where their next meal will come from,” Norberg said.
Norberg said Publix would continue to have an active relationship with Second Harvest of the Big Bend.
“Every fall and spring, Publix conducts our semi-annual Feeding More Together register campaign at all locations,” Norberg said. “All proceeds go directly to local Feeding America partners in the form of credits to be used to purchase shelf stable products.”
The next Feeding More Together campaign is scheduled to take place Nov. 4-15.
Second Harvest plans to continue collaborating with other nonprofit and human services organizations. In doing so, it plans to increase the number of holistic, neighborhood-level mobile food distributions it can coordinate in the area’s most underserved communities.