Southeastern Grocers, Feeding America support local food banks

Southeastern Grocers is launching a new campaign, in partnership with Feeding America, to help those facing food insecurity during the ongoing pandemic.

Until May 15, customers shopping at any of the Jacksonville, Fla.-based company’s banners — Bi-Lo, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie — can help those in need by purchasing a $5 hunger relief donation bag of non-perishable items at the register.

Each donation will support local food bank partners throughout the southeast that have seen a significant rise in demand, the company said.

“We are committed to fighting hunger and providing food to the communities we serve. At Southeastern Grocers, we believe this responsibility expands outside our doors and into the homes of our neighbors in need,” Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said. “This is why we have created a simple way we can all help replenish food pantry shelves and provide nourishment to those in need. As a community, we are stronger together and will overcome these difficult times by showing kindness to our neighbors.”

In addition, shoppers can provide such shelf-stable products as spaghetti, canned green beans, canned corn and boxes of macaroni and cheese with the purchase of each hunger relief bag.

Each hunger relief bag will be fulfilled directly from the Southeastern Grocers warehouse and delivered to local food banks for a contactless donation for both customers and associates, the company said.

“Our charitable food system in the United States is continually facing surges in demand, declines in food donations and volunteers, and disruptions to normal operating procedures, as a result of the COVID-19 crisis,” Lauren Biedron, VP of corporate partnerships at Feeding America, said. “Never has our network of food banks faced such a tremendous challenge, and we need all the resources we can get to help our neighbors during this unparalleled time.”

To get a jumpstart on the program, Pepsi pledged a donation of $25,000 to the campaign, as well as a donation of 5,000 hunger relief bags.