Publix Charities working with area food banks to do good together

Sept. 22, 2026 - A $25 million donation this year from Publix Super Markets Charities (PSMC) brought its total investment to help end hunger to over $103 million since 2015. The donations are helping more than 350 local food banks and other nonprofit organizations, including Feeding America® partner food banks, in Publix's eight-state operating area.

For more than a decade, PSMC's hunger grant has allowed food banks to better help the people they serve. Many have been able to fund one-time efforts like vehicle purchases and other capital improvements.

"By working with our food bank partners, we can better identify where our support can make the greatest difference," said Publix Charities Executive Director John Doran. "We're proud to help these organizations expand their services and bring hope to even more people."

Getting food where it's needed most

A consistent challenge for these nonprofit organizations is getting nutritious food into the hands of our neighbors who need it the most. Oftentimes, people are unable to travel to a food bank. That has led organizations to find ways to bring food to them.

Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida

The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida purchased a 26-foot box truck thanks to a $200,000 grant from PSMC. Since going on the road in 2025, the truck has delivered up to 200,000 pounds of food throughout the food bank's five-county service area.

"The impact of a gift like this extends far beyond a single truck. It gives us the flexibility to deliver more fresh food, strengthen service in communities with the greatest need and support our network of agency partners throughout Southwest Florida," said Jennifer Denike, Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida's chief development officer. "Publix Charities continues to demonstrate what it means to invest in the long-term health of our communities, and we are thankful for their partnership."

Community Food Bank of Central Alabama

In 2024, a $150,000 donation from PSMC supported necessary improvements to the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama's infrastructure and distribution systems, allowing the organization to give even more fresh, nutritious food to its neighbors.

"Publix Charities has been an extraordinary partner in our work to address hunger across central Alabama," said Community Food Bank of Central Alabama Director of Development Ginger Pegues. "Their generosity has reached far beyond a single gift or moment in time to allow us to continually help us serve our neighbors facing hunger."

Food Bank of Northeast Georgia

Over the past decade, Publix Charities invested nearly $1 million in the work that Food Bank of Northeast Georgia does for its community. This includes supporting the construction of a new facility in Athens, Georgia, along with new vehicles and other equipment.

"We are tremendously grateful for our partnership with Publix Charities that touches nearly every part of our mission to connect neighbors with nourishing food," said Erin Barger, president and CEO of Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. "For years, PSMC has served as a gamechanger in supporting our operations through capital improvements along with thought partnership. Without them, we could not do what we do at the level we do it."

Doing good together with Publix associates

The Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Community Food Bank of Central Alabama and Food Bank of Northeast Georgia are just a few of the over 150 locations that more than 8,000 Publix associates will be donating their time to during Publix Serves Week. Held each September to coincide with Feeding America's Hunger Action Month, the weeklong event has associates volunteering at organizations focused on feeding our neighbors in need. A second Publix Serves Week dedicated to environmental efforts takes place in April.