ATLANTA, GA, September 11, 2020 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Atlanta Community Food Bank today announced it received a $225,000 donation from Publix Super Markets Charities for COVID-19 emergency relief, Nutrition Education, and Child Nutrition Programs. The Food Bank serves more than 700,000 people facing food insecurity across 29 counties throughout Metro Atlanta and north Georgia.
Currently, in the Food Bank's 29 county service area, one in six people are food insecure and one in four children are food insecure. Atlanta Community Food Bank has seen a 40% increase in the need for food support since the coronavirus pandemic began, and Publix Charities' donation will help increase capacity and meet this elevated need.
"We are incredibly grateful for the support of Publix Super Markets. Publix supports our efforts to fight hunger year-round through financial and food donations, giving hope to people across our 29-county service area who are facing hunger. This donation comes at a critical time and will make enormous impacts for those Georgians facing food insecurity," said Kyle Waide, President and CEO of Atlanta Community Food Bank.
Additionally, as the impact of the pandemic took shape, many produce and dairy farmers around the Southeast saw their buying partners dry up and found themselves dumping or plowing over product they could no longer sell. Meanwhile, food banks throughout the region were experiencing substantial increases in need. To bridge the gap, Publix implemented a program to purchase surplus produce and milk from farmers and deliver it directly to food banks. Since then, Publix has purchased and delivered more than 11 million pounds of produce and 500,000 gallons of milk to Feeding America member food banks throughout the Southeast, including 170,665 million pounds of produce and 31,680 gallons of milk to Atlanta Community Food Bank.
"It has been our privilege to support hunger relief throughout the Southeast for many years now, and this work has never been more important," said Publix CEO Todd Jones. "We are grateful for the opportunity to support Atlanta Community Food Bank and to alleviate hunger in the communities we serve and bring hope to those who need it most during these uncertain times."
The $225,000 donation from Publix Super Markets Charities to Atlanta Community Food Bank is one of several donations made this year to help provide food and other essential support to those hardest hit by the pandemic. In all, Publix Charities has donated $5 million to Feeding America member food banks and other nonprofit partners in 2020.
About Atlanta Food Community Bank
The Atlanta Community Food Bank works to end hunger with the food, people and big ideas needed to ensure our neighbors have the nourishment to lead healthy and productive lives. Far too many people in our own community experience hunger every day, including children, seniors and working families. Through more than 700 nonprofit partners, we help more than 700,000 people get healthy food every year. Our goal is that all hungry people across metro Atlanta and North Georgia will have access to the nutritious meals they need when they need them. It takes the power of our whole community to make that possible. Join us at ACFB.org.
About Publix Super Markets Charities
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 it would continue giving long after he was gone. Publix Super Markets Charities remains committed to serving the communities in which Publix operates. To learn more, visit www.publixcharities.org.
About Publix Super Markets
Publix, the largest employee-owned company in the U.S. with more than 220,000 associates, currently operates 1,253 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. For 23 consecutive years, the company has been recognized by Fortune as a great place to work. In addition, Publix's dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company's website, corporate.publix.com.
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