Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers, the parent company and home of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, will donate 8,075 frozen turkeys to communities throughout the Southeast that will struggle with hunger this Thanksgiving holiday.
According to Feeding America, more than 50 million people, including 17 million children, may experience food insecurity this year. Due to the lasting effects of the pandemic, these donations will provide communities with more than 180,000 pounds of turkey and 150,000 vital meals to feed individuals and families in need throughout the BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie footprint.
In partnership with community leaders and non-profit organizations, 22 turkey donation events were to be held in the following cities to distribute donations:
- Bunnell, Florida: Feeding Northeast Florida and Grace Fellowship;
- Keystone Heights, Florida: Feeding Northeast Florida and Mission of the Dirt Road;
- Tampa, Florida: Del Webb Lakewood Ranch Association of Veterans and Military Supporters and MacDill Air Force Base;
- Hilliard, Florida: Feeding Northeast Florida and the Barnabas Center;
- Jacksonville, Florida: Greater Jacksonville USO with Jacksonville Jaguars players Lerentee McCray and Drayton Florence;
- New Orleans, Louisiana: New Orleans Saints players Terron Armstead and Cam Jordan;
- Hialeah, Florida: City of Hialeah;
- Starke, Florida: Feeding Northeast Florida and True Vine Ministries;
- Tampa, Florida: Feeding Tampa Bay and La Senda Antigua;
- Biloxi, Mississippi: Feeding the Gulf Coast and First Baptist Church of Biloxi;
- Macclenny, Florida: Feeding Northeast Florida and the Baker County Council on Aging;
- Augustine, Florida: Feeding Northeast Florida and Family Worship Center;
- Mobile, Alabama: Feeding the Gulf Coast and City Church;
- Fernandina Beach, Florida: Elm Street Sportsman Association;
- Miami, Florida: City of Miami and Miami League of Cities;
- Palatka, Florida: Feeding Northeast Florida and Epic Cure;
- Jacksonville, Florida: Feeding Northeast Florida ;
- Lauderhill, Florida: The Faith Center’s Dare To Care Ministry;
- Pensacola, Florida: Feeding the Gulf Coast and Brownsville Assembly of God;
- Birmingham, Alabama: Birmingham Area Food Bank and Tarrant Elementary School;
- Lexington, South Carolina: Serve & Connect; and
- Columbia, South Carolina: Serve & Connect.
“At Southeastern Grocers, we are committed to the unwavering fight against hunger as the wake of the pandemic continues to impact our communities,” said Elizabeth Thompson, EVP and chief people officer of Southeastern Grocers. “This Thanksgiving, we are proud to provide more than 150,000 vital meals to our community members in need. This year, more than ever, we are extremely grateful for each and every frontline associate and neighbor that has weathered this unprecedented time with us. We wish everyone a memorable Thanksgiving Day full of celebration with loved ones around their family tables.”
Due to the care, commitment and camaraderie displayed by the grocer’s store, pharmacy and store support associates, SEG has made the decision to not open all BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores on Thanksgiving Day. This effort will provide all associates with a day of rest with their families in appreciation for their dedicated service on the frontline of the ongoing pandemic.
Southeastern Grocers’ stores also will offer deals on Thanksgiving turkeys, hams and holiday meal essentials. Leading up to the holiday, BI-LO, Fresco y Más and Harveys Supermarket will offer a “Price Match Promise” and Winn-Dixie stores will offer a “Winn Win Guarantee” to match any locally advertised Grade A Frozen Turkey price. In addition, all BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers can also try same-day delivery by Shipt, with 50 percent off three or five Shipt passes or 50 percent off a $99 annual membership with free delivery on orders $35 or more.
SEG recently opened four new Winn-Dixie stores in Florida. See story, here.
