Lowcountry Food Bank (LCFB) announced it received a $270,000 donation from Publix Super Markets Charities to increase the amount of nutritious food that LCFB can distribute to ensure equitable access to healthy food. LCFB serves 200,000 neighbors in coastal South Carolina who face food insecurity in the Lowcountry.
LCFB is using these funds to purchase a 10 foot by 40 foot storage container that will increase the refrigerated storage capacity of its Charleston facility by at least 20 pallets, which adds approximately 200,000 pounds of nutritious food (primarily produce) that can be distributed to more than 200,000 children, adults, veterans, and seniors who experience food insecurity throughout coastal South Carolina.
LCFB also will use these funds to purchase a 53-foot insulated trailer with electric stand-by refrigeration and an electric liftgate, which will increase the amount of nutritious food that Lowcountry Food Bank can equitably distribute in the 10 coastal counties the organization serves.
Additionally, LCFB will purchase a refrigerated van that will be used by one of the organization’s partner agencies (food pantries). The refrigerated van will also enable one of our partner agencies that serves under-resourced communities and disproportionately affected populations to increase their capacity to pick-up retail product and food from LCFB. This will greatly improve food safety and increase the amount of nutritious food the partner agency is able to distribute to neighbors who experience food insecurity.
The food insecurity rate remains high at almost 10% in the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina that Lowcountry Food Bank serves. This is equivalent to nearly 145,000 of our neighbors, of whom 42,850 are children, and Publix Charities’ donation will help increase capacity and meet this elevated need.
“We are so proud to work with Publix as a long-standing partner that always steps up and makes an enormous difference in the lives of the neighbors we serve,” said Nick Osborne, Lowcountry Food Bank President and CEO. “Publix understands that more and more families have turned to us to help put healthy food on the table while we continue to navigate economic inflationary issues and higher food and transportation costs. We’re grateful to Publix Super Markets Charities for their years of support in helping alleviate hunger in our communities.”
“Helping provide food to our neighbors in need is at the heart of our philanthropic efforts at Publix,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “We’re thankful to Publix Super Markets Charities for their continued support of hunger alleviation efforts in the areas we serve. Their support and our work with food banks throughout the Southeast provide nourishment and better the lives of families and individuals in our communities. We’re proud to do good, together.”
The $270,000 donation from Publix Super Markets Charities to LCFB is one of several donations made this year to help provide food and other essential support to people facing hunger. In all, Publix Super Markets Charities has donated $10 million to Feeding America partner food banks and other nonprofit partners in 2023.
About the Lowcountry Food Bank: Feed. Advocate. Empower.
The Lowcountry Food Bank serves the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina and distributed more than 40 million pounds of food in 2022. The Lowcountry Food Bank helps fight hunger by distributing food to more than 230 partner agencies including on-site meal programs, homeless shelters and emergency food pantries. The Lowcountry Food Bank advocates on behalf of those who experience hunger and helps empower people to make healthy and nutritious food choices. For more information, visit the Lowcountry Food Bank website.
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 250,000 associates, currently operates 1,351 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. For 26 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 newsroom at corporate.publix.com/newsroom.
