Publix has donated one other $three million to meals banks all through the southeast, together with $225,000 to Feeding Tampa Bay.The Lakeland-based grocer began upping its donations to Feeding America and affiliated meals banks at first of the pandemic, which has put scores out of labor.“Millions of Americans aren’t sure where they will get their next meal, and as a food retailer, we can make a difference,” stated Publix CEO Todd Jones in a press release. “It’s been our privilege at Publix to help people in need for many years, most recently with our new program supporting farmers, food banks and families hit particularly hard by the pandemic.”Associated: Publix is shopping for produce from Florida farms to donate to Feeding Tampa BayPublix has been buying surplus produce and milk from farmers to ship to meals banks for the final a number of months. Since April, Publix has donated greater than 11 million kilos of produce and 500,000 gallons of milk all through the southeast.Feeding America estimates an extra 17 million People may very well be going through starvation due to the pandemic, bringing the entire People going through meals insecurity to 54 million folks. Whereas farmers are struggling to promote all their stock, meals banks are reporting as a lot as a 400 p.c improve in demand.Publix says it’s making an attempt to assist bridge that hole.“Food banks across the country have been working tirelessly to meet increased demand, but we cannot do it alone,” CEO of Feeding America Claire Babineaux-Fontenot stated in a press release. “The most vulnerable people in our communities — including many children and seniors — need us now more than ever.”Publix donated $2 million to Feeding America earlier this yr.
