By Karyn & Joan - July 1, 2016

For the second consecutive year, associates put on their Publix Serves shirts and demonstrated Mr. George’s legacy of giving by donating their time and talents to their communities.
More than 4,500 associates across six states volunteered with 130 local nonprofit organizations during Publix Serves Day, a companywide day of service. Projects included donating or serving food at shelters, sorting items, building and repairing homes and community beautification. Retired CEO Ed Crenshaw joined in, spending his last official day of employment volunteering alongside associates in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

Some of District Manager Vince Mingione’s associates volunteered at Cullman [Alabama] Caring for Kids. They sorted produce, meat and bakery donations, and inspected and washed donated eggs. The organization was immensely grateful — the executive director said Publix is the best thing to ever come to Cullman, and Publix’s donations have improved the quality, quantity and selection of food available to its clients.

In District Manager Kevin Donlan’s area, several associates gathered to help complete improvements in and around Anderson [South Carolina] Interfaith Ministries’ headquarters. At the organization’s food bank, the group was surprised by a special visitor — Ed Crenshaw! The team was excited to work alongside Ed during his last day as CEO, and the associates were proud knowing they made an impact on their community.

Thirty-five associates from District Manager Charles Gainer’s area spent the morning at Grace Marketplace, an assistance center that provides shelter, meals and other services in Alachua County, Florida. The associates cooked and prepared meals for the hungry and homeless. The experience inspired several associates to come back and give again.
About 40 associates from District Manager Allyn Welch’s district partnered with Habitat for Humanity – Hernando County, Florida. They spent time hanging drywall at the future home of a family of five. But the associates’ service didn’t end on Publix Serves Day — on the day the home is dedicated, they will go back to stock the home’s pantry with groceries.
Associates from District Manager Nick Berardino’s area volunteered at Feeding South Florida, a Feeding America affiliate serving Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. The team helped sort and inspect more than 68,000 pounds of food, and they contributed a donation that will buy more than 5,900 meals for local families in need of food assistance.
“I was proud to see all of our folks out working hard to make a difference in our communities. You can’t truly understand what an impact you have made. You are a great example for our team.“
— District Manager Keith Gilbert
“I can’t believe what they [Publix volunteers] accomplished in such a short time that day. They were amazing to work with. We can’t thank them all enough for their hard work.”
— Elisa Stone, Covenant House Florida Director of Development
Publix Serves Day 2016
To see more of your peers giving back to their communities, tune in to Publix Serves Day 2016 and check out some of the scenes below.
Online Exclusive
Atlanta Division
Bob Pendleton
Mary Hall Freedom House
Joe Prestigiacomo
The Tree House
Joe Yeazitzis
Manna House
John Clark
Senior Connections, Inc
John Westall
Flowering Branch Childrens Shelter
Keith Everett
GraceWorks Ministries
Randy Burt
Feeding the Valley
Tom Sayers
Atlanta Community Food Bank
Vince Mingione
Downtown Rescue Mission
Bob Pendleton
Mary Hall Freedom House
Joe Prestigiacomo
The Tree House
Joe Yeazitzis
Manna House
John Clark
Senior Connections, Inc
John Westall
Flowering Branch Childrens Shelter
Keith Everett
GraceWorks Ministries
Randy Burt
Feeding the Valley
Tom Sayers
Atlanta Community Food Bank
Vince Mingione
Downtown Rescue Mission
Charlotte Division
Howard Walker
Pilgrims Inn
Norman Badger
Lowcountry Food Bank
Rich DiRocco
Operation PBJ (UW of Central Carolinas)
Walter Laird
Harvest Hope Food Bank
Howard Walker
Pilgrims Inn
Norman Badger
Lowcountry Food Bank
Rich DiRocco
Operation PBJ (UW of Central Carolinas)
Walter Laird
Harvest Hope Food Bank
Jacksonville Division
Abe Gonzalez
Feeding Children Everywhere
Barry Rickelman
Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville
Charles Gainer
Grace MarketPlace
David Hanegan
Feeding NE Florida
Greg Boxx
Manna Food Bank
Jackie Gouge
Children In Crisis
Ken Wilson
Dothan Rescue Mission
Lisa Patton
Brother's Keeper
Pat Mcgowan
Habitat for Humanity
Phil Harrison
Big Bend Homeless Coalition/HOPE
Rose Thornton
United Global Outreach
Abe Gonzalez
Feeding Children Everywhere
Barry Rickelman
Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville
Charles Gainer
Grace MarketPlace
David Hanegan
Feeding NE Florida
Greg Boxx
Manna Food Bank
Jackie Gouge
Children In Crisis
Ken Wilson
Dothan Rescue Mission
Lisa Patton
Brother's Keeper
Pat Mcgowan
Habitat for Humanity
Phil Harrison
Big Bend Homeless Coalition/HOPE
Rose Thornton
United Global Outreach
Lakeland Division
Addison Avila
Wildwood Food Pantry
Allyn Welch
Habitat for Humanity - Hernando
April Young
Mort Elementary
Brett Tessier
Harry Chapin Food Bank
Chris McGough
Feeding America Tampa Bay
Dan Cline
Lake Cares Food Pantry
David Tapia
St. Pete Free Clinic
Dawne Carn
HEP (Homeless Empowerment Program)
Edd Dean
Habitiat for Humanity - Winter Haven
Greg Chambless
Habitat for Humanity - Lakeland
Jeff Williams
Habitat for Humanity - Collier
Jerry Reed
Habitat for Humanity - Charlotte
Jim Bushee
ECHO of Brandon
Mark Royer
All Faiths Food Bank
Mike Kot
All Faiths Food Bank
Randy Williams
Church of Hope
Ron Tennant
Habitat for Humanity
Scott Keisel
Habitat for Humanity - Collier
Steve Micheli
Salvation Army
Tab Bryant
Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County
Terry Ball
Food Bank of Manatee
Wendy Smith
Salvation Army
Addison Avila
Wildwood Food Pantry
Allyn Welch
Habitat for Humanity - Hernando
April Young
Mort Elementary
Brett Tessier
Harry Chapin Food Bank
Chris McGough
Feeding America Tampa Bay
Dan Cline
Lake Cares Food Pantry
David Tapia
St. Pete Free Clinic
Dawne Carn
HEP (Homeless Empowerment Program)
Edd Dean
Habitiat for Humanity - Winter Haven
Greg Chambless
Habitat for Humanity - Lakeland
Jeff Williams
Habitat for Humanity - Collier
Jerry Reed
Habitat for Humanity - Charlotte
Jim Bushee
ECHO of Brandon
Mark Royer
All Faiths Food Bank
Mike Kot
All Faiths Food Bank
Randy Williams
Church of Hope
Ron Tennant
Habitat for Humanity
Scott Keisel
Habitat for Humanity - Collier
Steve Micheli
Salvation Army
Tab Bryant
Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County
Terry Ball
Food Bank of Manatee
Wendy Smith
Salvation Army
Miami Division
Danny Barber
Boca Helping Hands
Dave Taylor
Thelma B. Pittman Jupiter pre-school
Frank Ferraro
Broward Outreach Center
George Shelby
Piece of Hope
Jamie Laviolette
Treasure Coast Food Bank
John Kalis
Milagro Center
Lillian Cook
St. Ann Place
Lou Troisi
Calvary Chapel
Missy Mac Queen
Our Fathers House Soup Kitchen
Nick Berardino
Feeding South Florida
Roy Jaksch
The Soup Kitchen
Russ Reaver
The Salvation Army
Trae O'steen
Covent House
Vince Harris
Miami Rescue Mission
Danny Barber
Boca Helping Hands
Dave Taylor
Thelma B. Pittman Jupiter pre-school
Frank Ferraro
Broward Outreach Center
George Shelby
Piece of Hope
Jamie Laviolette
Treasure Coast Food Bank
John Kalis
Milagro Center
Lillian Cook
St. Ann Place
Lou Troisi
Calvary Chapel
Missy Mac Queen
Our Fathers House Soup Kitchen
Nick Berardino
Feeding South Florida
Roy Jaksch
The Soup Kitchen
Russ Reaver
The Salvation Army
Trae O'steen
Covent House
Vince Harris
Miami Rescue Mission