Southeastern Grocers funds school programs, orgs to support children
Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, is championing education opportunities for students, schools and supporting organizations throughout the communities it serves.
In support of early literacy, the Winn-Dixie Gives and Harveys Supermarket Gives Foundations have partnered with the Library Foundation of Jacksonville to provide a $50,000 grant to refresh its popular JaxKids Book Club.
The grant funded a new set of eight books created by diverse local authors and illustrators to reflect Jacksonville’s multicultural community. The books will be distributed this fall to nearly 8,000 children in voluntary prekindergarten classrooms to nourish the minds of young readers and inspire them to be their true authentic selves, the company said.
The grocer also will host book readings in area classrooms, and local libraries and provide immersive in-store experiences that align with the set of books.
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Winn-Dixie also has joined forces with Tony the Tiger and Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes Mission Tiger to aid area physical education and extracurricular athletic programs, including a $25,000 donation to Ribault Middle School in Jacksonville and a $32,139 donation to Langston Hughes Academy in New Orleans to cultivate healthy, active lifestyles for kids.
The partnership also includes a donation of $20,000 and 100 books to four Lee County middle schools that were impacted by Hurricane Ian.
Raymond Rhee, chief people officer of Southeastern Grocers, said, “We know that education serves as a foundation for children to build the skills and confidence they need for lifelong success. It’s important to our associates and customers to champion our neighborhood schools, along with organizations dedicated to fostering vibrant, inclusive communities. Our goal is to empower young minds and hearts through these programs so they can flourish to become the leaders of tomorrow.”
Additionally, SEG will donate $150,000-plus to more than 420 K-12 schools and school districts throughout the Southeast as part of its third annual in-store community donation program. This effort was made possible thanks to the generous associates and customers who donated in all Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores to help fund vital school resources and educational programs.
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SEG also is accepting applications from nonprofits throughout the Southeast for its 2023 Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant. The grant supports organizations that work to address racial disparities in education, health care and food insecurity while building a more inclusive and equitable future for all.
Nonprofit organizations with missions to elevate underserved communities throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi are encouraged to apply here through Sept. 30 to be considered for a grant ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.
SEG’s Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant has provided more than $685,000 in funding to deserving community organizations since its inception in 2020. The grant program reaffirms SEG’s steadfast commitment to racial equity and social justice by offering qualified nonprofits opportunities to receive financial support to help level the playing field for individuals of all backgrounds.