Southeastern Grocers covers grocery bill for healthcare professionals, first responders

Southeastern Grocers covered the grocery bills for customers at its banners — Bi-Lo, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn Dixie — during the healthcare professionals and first responders shopping hour on April 13.

“Southeastern Grocers is dedicated to being there for the community when they need us the most, and we believe there is no better time than now to show acts of kindness,” Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said. "Our heroic healthcare professionals and first responders are on the front line every day as they work tirelessly to make our communities safer, and we want to do our part to thank them.” 

The act was inspired by the recent generosity displayed by filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry, who partnered with Winn-Dixie on April 8 to purchase groceries for senior and high-risk communities at all of the Jacksonville, Fla.-based company’s Louisiana stores.

“We were inspired to pay it forward and hope to inspire others, so we can continue to lift spirits during this difficult time. As a community, we are stronger together and will win together with kindness,” Hucker said.

In addition, the company also is offering more than 5,000 positions to individuals who have been affected by restricted working hours or job loss as a result of the mandated store and restaurant closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said.

Other initiatives being taken by Southeastern Grocers to help elevate safety concerns include modified hours to allow for a deeper cleaning process, installing plexiglass partitions at all registers, and asking shoppers to maintain a two-cart length distance throughout the stores.