Harry Chapin Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in Southwest Florida, is excited to announce it has named Publix Super Markets the Donor of the Month for September 2023. Harry Chapin Food Bank presented Publix with the recognition during a Publix Serves food packing event on Sept. 19 at the Fort Myers Distribution Center.
The recognition honors donors, both organizations and individuals, who go above and beyond in their support of Harry Chapin Food Bank. “We are incredibly grateful to call Publix a partner in our fight against hunger in Southwest Florida,” said Stuart Haniff, the chief development officer at the Harry Chapin Food Bank. “Each year, Publix not only donates thousands upon thousands of pounds of food to our food bank, but also provides support through financial donations and sweat equity.” Held twice a year, Publix Serves is an opportunity for Publix associates to volunteer and help those in need in their community. An estimated 7,500 associates participated in community service activities focused on supporting hunger relief efforts in the communities where they live and work such as sorting food and packing meal kits.
Since 2015, Publix Super Markets Charities has invested more than $52 million across the Southeast in efforts to alleviate hunger. According to Feeding America, more than 135,250 people in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties faced food insecurity in 2021. Food insecurity is defined as the lack of access to enough food for an active, healthy lifestyle. Now in its 40th year, Harry Chapin Food Bank feeds more than 250,000 people each month through a variety of food distribution programs.