SEG Gives 1.5 Million Meals During Hunger Action Month
Winn Dixie sponsored Mobile Pantry handout at the Goodwill in New Orleans on July 26, 2021.
Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, is donating more than 1 million meals to Feeding America and an additional 500,000 meals between five of its network food banks in the Southeast to help alleviate hunger in underserved communities during Hunger Action Month.
The grocer also launched its in-store community donation program to benefit the American Red Cross’ disaster relief efforts to support people affected by disasters, big and small. The community donation program will run during peak hurricane season and following the devastating impact from Hurricane Idalia throughout the Southeast.
Raymond Rhee, chief people officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “As a grocer serving five coastal states, we have witnessed firsthand how a natural disaster’s impact can amplify the struggles faced by millions of families across the Southeast, many of whom already carry the burden of food insecurity.
“Today and every day, we are dedicated to supporting our neighbors to ensure no one faces these hardships alone. Through our ongoing partnerships with Feeding America and the American Red Cross, we turn compassion into action by nourishing and rebuilding our communities when they need us most.”
As part of its ongoing commitment to fight hunger, SEG and the SEG Gives Foundation will provide $100,000 to Feeding America, plus $50,000 in additional monetary contributions to five Feeding America food banks within the grocer’s footprint. SEG will also host five mobile food pantry events during Hunger Action Month with the following local Feeding America network food banks to provide more than 76,000 pounds of fresh produce and shelf-stable products to thousands of families and individuals who face hunger daily:
- Feeding Northeast Florida
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
- Feeding Tampa Bay
- Feeding South Florida
- Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana
Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month is held annually each September to raise awareness of the hunger crisis nationwide. According to Feeding America, 1 in 6 people across the United States relied on charitable food assistance at least once in 2022.
SEG and the SEG Gives Foundation remain steadfast in their commitment to help ease the burden for those struggling to put food on the table. The grocer recently donated $160,000 to eight Southeast food banks to help combat food insecurity among families during the summer months. SEG donated more than $700,000 and 14 million pounds of food to help alleviate hunger across its five-state footprint last year.
Additionally, the grocer is launching an in-store community donation program to benefit the American Red Cross in support of its mission to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies. Customers can help equip the nonprofit by donating $1, $5 or simply rounding up their grocery bill while shopping their local Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores now through Sept. 26.
Every dollar donated through SEG’s community donation program will help support Red Cross Disaster Relief, which provides essential aid to those affected by disasters across the country, including food, shelter, relief supplies, emotional support, recovery planning and other assistance.
Last year, SEG, together with the SEG Gives Foundation and generous customers, donated more than $600,000 to support disaster relief efforts. The grocer was also recently recognized by the Northeast Florida Chapter of the Red Cross as their Community Partner of the Year. The recognition followed SEG’s vital aid response to destructive flooding in Fort Lauderdale earlier this year where local associates distributed meals and water to residents to support the community during recovery efforts.
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