Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of BI-LO, Fresco y Mas, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, has announced it has donated more than $2.3 million to Folds of Honor to help the nonprofit’s mission to provide educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members.
“We are so proud of our amazing associates, customers, and partners who continue to go above and beyond to provide unwavering support to families in need throughout the communities we serve,” Anthony Hucker, President and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said in a Southeastern Grocers press release. “It is because of their kindness and generosity that this has been a record-breaking donation campaign that will provide more than 450 educational scholarships to families of America’s fallen or disabled military servicemen and servicewomen. We are grateful to all the heroes who serve our country and honored to partner with Folds of Honor to give back to these heroic families.”
According to the press release, the donation of $2,324,000 is thanks to the contributions from the brand’s charitable foundation, valued partners, and in-store and virtual customer donations.
Southeastern Grocers had a six-week program that started May 20 with a $100,000 donation from the SEG Gives Foundation as well as $50,000 from the Coca-Cola Company in support of Folds of Honor. The four grocery stores Southeastern Grocers is the parent company of allowed customers to round up their total grocery bill to the nearest dollar. The SEG Gives Foundation also matched contactless donations made to Folds of Honor during the nonprofit’s three-day virtual concert series, which was the week of Memorial Day, as well as its online employer matching program, up to $100,000.
We are in awe of the support that Southeastern Grocers and its customers have shown for our military families,” Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, CEO and Founder of Folds of Honor, said in the same Southeastern Grocers press release. “We understand these are uncertain times and cannot thank the most patriotic grocery store in America and its generous community enough for this life-changing support and continued partnership.”
The brand and its SEG Gives Foundation have previously worked with Folds of Honor. According to the press release, “Since 2018, Southeastern Grocers has donated more than $4.1 million to Folds of Honor, which has provided more than 800 educational scholarships to the children and spouses impacted by a loved one’s sacrifice for the United States military. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded approximately 24,500 educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. Last year alone, Folds of Honor awarded 4,500 educational scholarships to individuals of diverse backgrounds and ethnicities throughout the United States, including more than 1,400 scholarships within the seven states Southeastern Grocers serves.”