Our founder, George Jenkins, was once asked how much he thought he’d be worth if he had not given so much of his money away. His humble response: “Probably nothing.”
Mr. George believed in the importance of giving, and he set the example for being involved in the community. He gave his time, money and talent. His philosophy of giving was simple — he believed that giving back was not an expense, but an investment, a responsibility and a privilege.
Although Mr. George founded Publix 85 years ago, his philosophy of service lives on today through our associates around the company who continue to serve and give back to our communities.
Watch this month’s lesson come to life online at corporate.publix.com > About Publix > Publix Culture.
Publix Serves in many ways
Our associates are involved in a variety of volunteer work
Associates share how they live Mr. George’s lesson of giving back – Online exclusive
What are you doing Friday, April 17, 2015?
Do your part and get rewarded
Kids: coming to your work location soon
Publix Serves in many ways
As a company, Publix is particularly passionate about youth, education (specifically literacy), and helping the homeless and hungry. But we also put the weight of our entire company behind these campaigns: Special Olympics, March of Dimes, Children’s Miracle Network, United Way and Food For All.
As individuals, we give back to our communities through a variety of ways and volunteer opportunities. So, Publix is introducing Publix Serves to help us stand out and be recognized when we’re volunteering in the community. Regardless of why, how and where we serve, we’re all Publix people changing lives.
“Publix Serves represents our commitment to companywide community service,” said Director of Media and Community Relations Maria Brous. “Whether we’re serving customers in our stores or volunteering in our communities, Publix Serves unites us all.”
You can purchase Publix Serves merchandise to wear or use when participating in any community service project and on designated dates during select corporate campaigns. During the March of Dimes campaign, see your location’s coordinator for more information and to place your order. After the campaign, shirts will be available for order through the Publix Company Store by by visiting www.publix.org > Apparel and Merchandise.
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Our associates are involved in a variety of volunteer work
From cooking and serving meals to the hungry and building or improving homes, to working with children and participating in fundraising events, our associates are involved in a variety of volunteer work. As responsible citizens, we support local efforts by sharing our time and talents to improve our communities.
For example, Bakery Clerk Joan Kapnick (pictured above right), #484, Boynton Beach, Florida, raised more than $1,000 to participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Visit www.publix.org to see what others are doing in their communities.
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Online Exclusive
Associates share how they live Mr. George’s lesson of giving back
Store Manager Eric Nickerson, #503, Atlanta, has always been involved in sports with his three boys, yet he wanted to do more. He saw a need to have more male volunteers in his local school system, so he started a WATCH D.O.G.S. program at his local elementary and middle schools.
The program invites fathers and other men to volunteer and get involved by helping in classrooms and other areas of the school. As the lead at both schools, Eric also meets with the volunteers to discuss statistics about crime in schools and how important it is for dads to be involved with their children not just through athletics but also education.
A survey of nearly 21,000 Wounded Warrior Project alumni found more than 82 percent of injured veterans identify themselves as overweight or obese.
So, to combat the problem, the Aprons Cooking School team at #1066, Jacksonville, Florida, hosted injured veterans and their families for a series of healthy cooking lessons. Through a partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project, the program tackled obesity and gave attendees the information and knowledge they need to create healthy meals at home.
Many organizations have benefitted from the generosity and service of Administrative Assistant Teresa Olinger, a past Mr. George Community Service Award winner. Most recently, she represented Publix in READ Lakeland’s annual Kiss the Pig fundraiser.
Each year since 2007, representatives from Polk County businesses participate in the fundraiser by collecting money to put toward programs that improve adult literacy. At the end of the six-week campaign, the eight candidates raised more than $27,000, with Teresa raising more than $15,000 of that total. Not only was it the most money for the event this year, it was the most by any candidate in the event’s history. This was the first year a Publix associate has won the contest and kissed the pig.
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What are you doing Friday, April 17, 2015?
If you’re not working, you should volunteer as part of Publix Serves Day. This unique volunteer opportunity will bring together associates across our six states to give back to the communities in which we operate.
Here’s how it will work. Each district will receive $1,085 to put toward a community service project, which the district manager will select. On April 17, associates from around the company will take part in volunteer efforts like beautifying a school or community center; purchasing meal items and cooking the meal for a homeless shelter; providing a celebration with gifts and food for a children’s home; or purchasing and assembling toiletry kits for the elderly.
If you’d like to participate in Publix Serves Day, make sure you submit a time off request through PASSport. Associates must be off the clock to volunteer.
Whether you volunteer during Publix Serves Day, participate in your local March for Babies or serve at another time, help us tell Publix’s story of how associates give back to their communities. Beginning late April, track your volunteer hours and how you give of your resources by visiting PASSport > Community > Volunteer Hours.
Follow these guidelines to be social and share your photos of Publix Serves Day.
- Do not take photos or videos of associates in the store. However, you can share photos or videos of associates volunteering in the community.
- Send an email to corporate.communications@publix.com. You also can tag
the official Publix Facebook page or post photos directly to the page at www.facebook.com/publix. Use the hashtag #publixserves - Tell us where your district served and what you did to give back.
- Seek permission from the organization before you post pictures and/or video.
- If you name others in Facebook photo captions or post content, use their first name only for privacy.
- If you share a video, use the following naming format: Publix Serves Day: [District city or area] Associates at [name of organization]\
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Do your part and get rewarded
You may have noticed the My Publix, My Part program has a new look. That’s because we’re challenging you to put Mr. George’s lessons into action each month by focusing on Publix culture.
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Kids: coming to your work location soon
Publix hosts Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Thursday, April 23. Let Publix give back to your child by showing them what it’s like to work for the best company in the world!
This year, kids will learn about the importance of giving back. Children will be asked to show what giving back means to them by participating in the Publix News annual contest. Middle and high school students are asked to write a brief essay (150 – 200 words) detailing why giving back is important to the people who are benefitting, the community or even to the person who is doing the giving. Elementary students are asked to draw a picture depicting ways to give back to their community.
Please submit essays on lined paper, using black or blue ink. Drawings should be on an 8 ½-by-11-inch sheet of unlined, white paper. On the back of the entry (in pencil), please include the child’s name and age, and your name, job class and store number or department name. Please do not use a store stamp. Entries must be received by May 8 for consideration and will not be returned.
Children can work on their entries during the day of their visit. The best entry and runner-up in each category will receive a prize pack and be featured in an upcoming issue of Publix News. Send entries through company mail or U.S. mail to:
Publix News — Daughters and Sons Contest
c/o Iris Stackpole
P.O. Box 407
Lakeland, FL 33802-0407
Last year’s winners were recognized in Publix News and received a prize pack. The top five essays and drawings were featured on Publix News Online.
Note: Palm Beach County is approved to participate May 26 due to student testing. Publix News contest entries from these stores must be received by June 5.
We’d love to see photos from Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day! Help us protect the privacy of each child pictured by scrolling to the top of this page. Click on Contact us, and print a photo release for each child in the photo. Have each child’s parent or guardian complete the form and mail it in with the photos.
