Publix donates $135,000 to Lowcountry Food Bank

Lowcountry Food Bank announced today that Publix Super Markets Charities has donated $135,000 to Lowcountry Food Bank to purchase fresh produce for the food insecure neighbors the organization serves. The funds will also be used to purchase a new box truck for the Lowcountry Food Bank to replace an aging vehicle that must be retired.

During Hunger Action Month in September, Publix Super Markets Charities will donate $5.5 million to 300 Feeding America member food banks and other nonprofit organizations as part of their ongoing support to alleviate hunger and help local communities within Publix’s operating area.

Food insecurity among children in the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina rose 38% between 2019 and 2020 with more than 55,000 children who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. The rise in food insecurity among adults in the 10 coastal counties rose 29% between 2019 and 2020, representing more than 185,000 people who struggle with hunger.

“We are so proud to work with Publix as a long-standing partner that always steps up and makes an enormous difference in the lives of the neighbors we serve,” said Nick Osborne, Lowcountry Food Bank President and CEO. “Publix understands that more and more families have turned to us to help put healthy food on the table during the pandemic, and Publix always helps bridge that gap, especially in tough times. We are grateful for their years and years of support and for the impact they make.”

“Having food on the table is an essential need that millions of people throughout our communities struggle with every day. As a food retailer, helping provide nourishing meals to our neighbors in need is at the heart of who we are,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “It is our privilege to join our customers in helping to alleviate hunger and do good together for our communities.”

Since April 2020, Publix has donated more than 33 million pounds of produce to Feeding America member food banks through its farmers and families initiative and Feeding More Together campaign. Through the farmers and families initiative launched last year, the company purchased and donated more than 18 million pounds of produce and 500,000 gallons of milk to Feeding America member food banks. Publix purchased this produce and milk from Southeastern farmers who lost business as schools and restaurants closed due to the pandemic.

Publix continued its hunger alleviation efforts by launching its Feeding More Together campaign this March. This program allowed customers to donate at the register to purchase nonperishable food items for local food banks. Publix then matched customer donations by purchasing an equivalent dollar value of fresh produce, which was donated to Feeding America member food banks. The first Feeding More Together campaign raised nearly $5 million in customer donations. The Feeding More Together program will run again this fall, Nov. 4 – 15.

“So many of our neighbors continue to struggle with having enough food to eat, but together, we can help change that,” said Kelly Williams-Puccio, executive director of Publix Super Markets Charities. “We are proud to continue our commitment of providing hope through nourishment for our neighbors in need.”

“Since the start of the pandemic, we have seen an increase in the number of people turning to Feeding America member food banks for help, many of them for the first time,” said Feeding America CEO Claire Babineaux-Fontenot. “We are incredibly grateful to Publix and Publix Super Markets Charities for finding new, innovative ways to help serve our neighbors and for their long-standing commitment to alleviating hunger.”
Visit publix.com/hunger to learn more about Publix’s hunger relief efforts, see how you can help alleviate hunger in your community and see a list of Feeding America member food bank donation recipients.

Learn more about the Lowcountry Food Bank’s Walk to Fight Hunger to support Hunger Action Month on Sunday, September 19th at
https://lowcountryfoodbank.org/get-involved/walk-to-fight-hunger/

About the Lowcountry Food Bank: Feed. Advocate. Empower.

The Lowcountry Food Bank serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina and distributed more than 39 million pounds of food in 2020. The Lowcountry Food Bank helps fight hunger by distributing food to nearly 300 partner agencies including on-site meal programs, homeless shelters and emergency food pantries. The Lowcountry Food Bank advocates on behalf of those who experience hunger and helps empower people to make healthy and nutritious food choices. For more information, go to the Lowcountry Food Bank website at lowcountryfoodbank.org.

About Publix Super Markets

Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 225,000 associates, currently operates 1,282 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. For 24 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s website, corporate.publix.com.

About Publix Super Markets Charities

George Jenkins, founder of Publix Super Markets and affectionately known as “Mr. George,” believed in giving. From the day he opened his first Publix, he made sure his associates, customers and community were taken care of. In 1966, Mr. George established the Foundation with the vision it would continue giving long after he was gone. Publix Super Markets Charities remains committed to serving the communities in which Publix operates. To learn more, visit publixcharities.org.

Feeding America

Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of nearly 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 40 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. To learn more, visit feedingamerica.org.