Retailers Donate to Their Communities
Grocery retailers, including Dollar General, Hy-Vee, Publix, and Schnucks, are giving back to their local communities through philanthropic endeavors.
Dollar General said Thursday that it has offered more than $10.6 million in grants through Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the discount retailer’s philanthropic arm, to support nearly 1,100 adult, family, and summer literacy programs across the country.
“We believe individuals of all ages deserve access to a quality education, and the Dollar General Literacy Foundation is thrilled to support thousands of learners across the country as they enrich their lives with literacy and education,” said Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “This year’s spring grant cycle is equally exciting as we surpass impacting more than 20 million individuals.”
Hy-Vee and local news source KCCI have joined forces to launch a campaign to fight food insecurity in Central Iowa, said Hy-Vee. “Pack the Pantry” is an initiative to stock local food pantries across the region at the start of summer when pantries see a rise in visits as the school year ends.
“Food insecurity continues to be a severe concern impacting families, especially in Iowa where 1 in 6 children face food insecurity daily,” said Tina Potthoff, SVP of communications for Hy-Vee, in a statement. “By partnering with KCCI, we want to help pantries prepare for the summer and help ensure that children and families will continue to have access to food where we see the greatest need.”
Publix said Tuesday that it has hit a milestone of donating 100 million pounds of produce to Feeding America partner food banks throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
“As a grocery retailer, we can make our largest impact by helping feed our neighbors in need. Donating 100 million pounds of produce is an example of the difference Publix associates make year-round,” said Publix CEO Kevin Murphy in a statement. “I am proud of this innovative program and how we continue to find new ways to support the communities we serve, but our work is not done. We look forward to continuing to provide our food bank partners with produce throughout the year.”
Schnucks said Wednesday that, for its seventh consecutive year, it will support the family members of deceased military veterans through a “Round Up at the Register” campaign that supports the philanthropic organization Folds of Honor Foundation.
From now until May 28, Schnucks customers in the Midwest can round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, or give $1, $3, or $5 donations to the nonprofit.
“We thank our generous customers who, each year since 2018, have rounded up at our checkouts and have joined us on our mission to nourish people’s lives throughout the Midwest,” said Schnucks Chairman and CEO Todd Schnuck in a statement.