LAKELAND, Fla., 2015-9-30 — /EPR Retail News/ — Publix Super Markets Charities (PSMC) announced today that it would donate $4 million to Habitat for Humanity affiliates across the Southeast. The donation will provide funding to build 40 new houses in 2016 as well as increase support to more than 60 affiliates whom the Foundation currently funds.
This generous donation continues the Foundation’s commitment to meeting the basic needs of the communities it serves through additional financial support for housing. The average price to sponsor a house is $77,000.
“Every family deserves an opportunity to have a roof over their heads and food on their table,” said Carol Jenkins Barnett, president of Publix Super Markets Charities. “My father established our foundation in 1966 with a strong desire to see our communities thrive. Forty-nine years later, we are continuing his legacy. As we honor my father’s memory and celebrate what would have been his 108th birthday today, we are delighted to continue our 26-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity by giving $4 million to Habitat affiliates across Publix’s footprint.”
The Habitat for Humanity affiliates who will be receiving funding for new houses include:
Alabama
- Habitat for Humanity of Baldwin County
- Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Alabama
- Wiregrass Habitat for Humanity
Florida
- Beaches Habitat for Humanity
- Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity
- Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County
- Habitat for Humanity of Broward
- Habitat for Humanity of Collier County
- Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County
- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami
- Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville
- Habitat for Humanity of Key West and Lower Florida Keys
- Habitat for Humanity of Martin County
- Habitat for Humanity of the Middle Keys
- Habitat for Humanity of Okaloosa County
- Habitat for Humanity of Osceola County
- Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County
- Habitat for Humanity of St Lucie County
- Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys
- Habitat for Humanity of Walton County
- Lakeland Habitat for Humanity
- Pensacola Habitat for Humanity
- Southeast Volusia Habitat for Humanity
Georgia
- Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity
- Habitat for Humanity in Atlanta
- Habitat for Humanity – North Central Georgia
- Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity
North Carolina
- Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte
South Carolina
- Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity
- Charleston Habitat for Humanity
- Dorchester Habitat for Humanity
- Habitat for Humanity of Anderson
- Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County
- Habitat for Humanity of Spartanburg
- Sea Island Habitat for Humanity
Tennessee
- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville – Dickson Division
- Habitat for Humanity of Greater Nashville – Wilson Division
- Habitat for Humanity – Williamson-Maury
- Knoxville Habitat for Humanity
“Publix Super Markets Charities and Publix have been strong supporters of our local Habitat and the entire Lakeland community,” said Claire Twomey, CEO Lakeland Habitat for Humanity. “It’s difficult to imagine how differently our community would look without the generosity of Mr. George and the great company he started. This significant donation of $4 million by the Foundation to Habitat affiliates will provide new homes to more than 200 low-income people and provide essential funding for our work across Publix’s operating areas.”
In related efforts, Publix Super Markets associates will invest the sweat equity, where possible, in building the Habitat for Humanity houses in 2016 during its Publix Serves campaign. Publix Serves was established as a way for Publix associates across the company to gather together to make an impactful difference in the communities they serve. Publix will donate groceries to fill the pantries of the new homes being sponsored by PSMC.
“Publix associates are the best in the industry,” said Maria Brous, Publix director of media and community relations. “Our associates serve our customers with stellar customer service, and serve their communities generously by giving of their time and talents to support many nonprofit organizations. Our associates are always there to give of themselves when our communities are in need. Giving back is what we do. It is our culture of service.”
PSMC began its support of Habitat for Humanity in 1989 with its first contribution to Habitat for Humanity of East Polk County (Winter Haven, Fla.). The Foundation has continued its support of Habitat for Humanity, donating more than $1.1 million to Habitat affiliates in 2014. This year’s $4 million contribution to Habitat for Humanity affiliates is over three times the amount previously given in any year and will support more than 80 Habitat affiliates across the Southeast.
George Jenkins, founder of Publix Super Markets and affectionately known as “Mr. George” believed in giving. From the day he opened his first Publix, he made sure his associates, customers and community were taken care of. In 1966, Mr. George established the Foundation with the vision that it would continue giving long after he was gone. Under the leadership of Carol Jenkins Barnett, Mr. George’s daughter, Publix Super Markets Charities remains committed to serving the communities in which Publix operates.
Corporate Initiatives and Trade Publications
Maria Brous
Director of Media & Community Relations
P.O. Box 407
Lakeland, FL 33802-0407
(863) 688-1188 ext. 55339
maria.brous@publix.com