JACKSONVILLE — The Winn‑Dixie Company (TWDC), together with its charitable arm, The Winn‑Dixie Company Gives Foundation, is donating $150,000 to the Florida State Alliance of YMCAs to help provide nutritious meals and snacks to children who may not have enough to eat during the summer months.
For many children and families, summer can mean losing access to the daily meals and support they count on during the school year, making it one of the most important times to help fight food insecurity. Through this donation, Winn-Dixie is helping support local YMCA summer programs that provide children with access to nourishing food, enriching activities and safe, welcoming spaces to learn, play and grow.
To kick off the partnership, Winn-Dixie associates joined YMCA staff and program participants for a food-packing event at the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA on June 22. Associates assembled meal and snack packs for children in YMCA summer programs, demonstrating their commitment to the initiative and to the communities they serve.
Jennifer Short, Chief People Officer for The Winn-Dixie Company, said, “Summer should be a time for kids to learn, play and create lasting memories — not a time when families have to worry about where their next meal will come from. We take our responsibility as a hometown grocer seriously, and through our partnership with the Florida State Alliance of YMCAs, we’re helping provide nutritious meals and essential support for children across our home state of Florida. At Winn-Dixie, nourishing our neighbors is at the heart of who we are, and we’re proud to stand alongside the Y to help families thrive during one of the most critical times of the year for those facing food insecurity.”
According to Feeding America, 1 in 5 children in Florida experience food insecurity. This partnership will help support more than 6,000 summer program participants through four YMCA associations serving children and families across 19 Florida counties, including:
- First Coast YMCA, serving Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties
- Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, serving Hillsborough County
- YMCA of Central Florida, serving Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties
- YMCA of Southwest Florida, serving Charlotte, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota counties
Lynne Wilcox, President and CEO of the Florida State Alliance of YMCAs, said, “When school is out, the need for wholesome meals doesn’t take a summer vacation. Partnerships with organizations like The Winn-Dixie Company help ensure families have access to the food and support they need during this critical time. We’re grateful for their commitment to strengthening communities and supporting our youth across Florida.”
Funding will support locally tailored solutions designed to meet the unique needs of families in each community. Throughout Florida, YMCA associations will expand access to fresh, nutritious food through a mix of summer meals, backpack and take-home programs, mobile food delivery and fresh produce initiatives. From bringing fruits and vegetables directly to areas with limited access to fresh food to supporting pantry operations and weekend meals for children, these efforts ensure families can get the nourishment they need, where and when they need it most.
This partnership reflects TWDC’s continued commitment to feeding and enriching the communities it serves. From statewide partnerships to customer-supported donation programs in local stores, Winn-Dixie remains focused on helping make nutritious food more accessible for children, families and neighbors facing hunger across Florida.
Customers who wish to support local hunger-relief efforts can purchase pre-packed donation bags for $5, $10 or $15 at their neighborhood Winn-Dixie store. Each donated bag is distributed to a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping neighbors facing hunger.
