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Publix Super Markets Charities generously donated $75,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee this year to support two hunger relief projects in the eight-county region.
A total of $25,000 is designated to support Second Harvest’s Food for Kids Backpack Program. The donation is one of Publix Super Market’s Charities’ $6 million total awards given to Feeding America partner food banks and more than 300 other nonprofit organizations to support organizations providing hunger relief services like weekend backpack programs, food pantries, and meal delivery programs.
Publix Charities also awarded $50,000 for Second Harvest’s Building Expansion Project. This award is part of a special $4 million grant opportunity made available by Publix Supermarket Charities to select food banks in the company’s operating area to fund nonrecurring capacity-building projects.
“Helping provide food to our neighbors in need is at the heart of our philanthropic efforts at Publix,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “We’re thankful to Publix Super Markets Charities for their continued support of hunger alleviation efforts in the areas we serve. Their support and our work with food banks throughout the Southeast provide nourishment and better the lives of families and individuals in our communities. We’re proud to do good together.” The 2023 donations bring the foundation’s total investment in helping alleviate hunger to over $52 million since 2015.
Rhonda Chafin, Executive Director of Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, stated, “We are so grateful for Publix’s generous donations that support our Food for Kids Backpack Program and help us build warehouse capacity to meet both current and future needs for hunger relief in our region. We also appreciate Publix’s support through product donations and other support they provide throughout the year to help with our hunger relief efforts,” Chafin said.
The Food for Kids Backpack Program provides healthy snacks and easily prepared meal items for over 5,000 children facing hunger in Northeast Tennessee to take home from school, giving them food over the weekends and during school breaks. Second Harvest’s Building Expansion Project will increase the Food Bank’s Capacity to distribute nourishing food. It increases volunteer capacity and efficiency in operation and provides infrastructure for the future growth of Second Harvest’s hunger relief efforts.