By Jacob Engels
****We all know that Publix is one of the best places to work in Florida, heck in the country. Now, we know that they are one of those companies that actually care about their community as well. Publix & it’s customers raised over $100,000 to support the newly opened Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida. A press release with more information is below! ROCK ON PUBLIX, ROCK ON.
PRESS RELEASE —
Orlando, Fla. – Recently, Publix Super Markets and its customers throughout Central Florida raised nearly $117,000 to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida through the Food for All seasonal donation campaign.
The late-2012 campaign appeared in all Central Florida stores from November through December. Throughout the fundraiser, Publix customers and associates throughout Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Brevard counties were invited to make donations to fight hunger. Customers contributed $1, $3 or $5 while paying for their groceries.
Sam Pero, Regional Director of Publix Super Markets Inc. said, “While we value the worth of all of our community partners, we have a deep appreciation for the work of Second Harvest as they address the core needs of individuals to sustain life for themselves, their families along with other programs to maintain sustainability. We want to continuously work shoulder to shoulder in this great effort to eradicate hunger not only in central Florida but in all markets that we operate and serve.”
Publix also donates perishable food to Second Harvest throughout the year. Each month, multiple truckloads of food are donated to Second Harvest for distribution to more than 500 local pantries, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, senior programs and low-income daycares. During the past year, the company has donated more than 3.5 million pounds of product. In addition, Publix stores run the Food for Sharing program four times a year, where customers can donate a “recipe” of products in a variety of dollar amounts to benefit local food banks, including Second Harvest.
“We appreciate even in difficult times, our customers and associates, care enough about their neighbors and continue to give to this important and worthy effort,” added Pero.
“We really respect Publix for their commitment to changing lives through this region,” said Dave Krepcho, President/CEO of Second Harvest. “With his generous donation, we can do much for the community.”
About Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Second Harvest Food Bank is a member of Feeding America — the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. SHFB secures and distributes food and grocery products to approximately 500 agencies that feed the hungry throughout Central Florida. Last year, with the help of numerous donors, volunteers and a caring, committed community, the food bank distributed nearly 36 million pounds of grocery products — the equivalent of more than 24 million meals — to partner agencies such as food pantries, soup kitchens, women’s shelters, senior centers, day care centers and other vital food assistance programs. On average, more than 55,000 different people receive assistance from SHFB partners each week.
About Publix
Publix is privately owned and operated by its 159,500 employees, with 2012 sales of $27.5 billion. Currently Publix has 1,071 stores in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee. The company has been named one of FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” for 16 consecutive years. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized as tops in the grocery business, most recently by an American Customer Satisfaction Index survey.
Food For All is a 501(c)(3) charitable marketing organization that partners with over 6,000 grocery retailers nationwide to run point-of-purchase fundraisers. Since 1985, Food For All has successfully raised over $64 million to fight hunger here in the United States and across the globe.
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Jacob Engels, is the Founder of East Orlando Post. Along with the Post, he owns several other businesses and is currently enrolled at Valencia College. Jacob has lived in Avalon Park since it’s founding and enjoys playing with his black Labradoodle Jasper, listening to indie rock, and seeking out new business ventures. He can be reached at info@eastorlandopost.com
