Grocer Donates $500K To Fuel Vital Red Cross Disaster Relief & Recover

TAMPA BAY, FL — Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, announced the donation of $500,000 to the American Red Cross to support vital emergency assistance, disaster preparedness and relief programs for communities in need.

This donation includes $250,000 to SEG’s long-standing partner through the contributions of customers and associates during its recent community donation program held in all Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores.

The grocer’s charitable arm, the SEG Gives Foundation, donated an additional $250,000 to the organization earlier this year in preparation for hurricane season. Every cent donated will support the Red Cross Disaster Relief in helping families and individuals as they recover from natural disasters through food, shelter, counseling and other needed assistance.

“After experiencing Hurricane Ian’s devastating force over our Florida communities, we’ve witnessed firsthand how the American Red Cross provides a lifeline to neighbors in need on the long road to recovery," Raymond Rhee, chief people officer for Southeastern Grocers, said. "We are humbled by our customers and associates who generously donated at our registers throughout the five coastal states we serve, and their support allows us to continue to stand with the Red Cross to support their crucial storm recovery and relief programs to strengthen and rebuild our communities when they are most vulnerable.”

Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers and associates throughout the Southeast supported the program by donating $1, $5 or rounding up their grocery bill to the nearest dollar while shopping at their local stores during the month of September. Following the vast devastation caused by Hurricane Ian, the donation program was extended through Oct. 18 in Florida stores to further support recovery and rebuilding efforts for affected communities.

Additionally, SEG immediately responded after the storm to ensure its associates and neighbors were taken care of by dispatching mobile pharmacies and providing essentials like bottled water, ice, nonperishable food and cleaning supplies to more than 2,000 Southwest Florida families.

SEG has a long-standing partnership with the Red Cross, a national nonprofit whose mission is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies through the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.

Last year, SEG, together with the SEG Gives Foundation and customers, donated more than $815,000 to aid and support disaster relief efforts.