Retail associates opened their hearts and homes, proving Publix is more than a grocery store.

From the moment forecasters announced Hurricane Irma’s possible path through Florida to the weeks that followed, our store associates went above and beyond to assist customers and each other. Grocery teams worked diligently to stock product, pass out cases of water and offer our worried customers a warm smile. In the wake of the storm, cashiers delivered ice and water to customers who couldn’t venture out, co-workers helped repair roofs and generators traveled from house to house as associates lent them to those without power.

We’ve received so many stories from customers and associates, we could write a novel on how you stepped up. So grab your tissues — you’ll need them — as you read these heartwarming accounts demonstrating how Publix isn’t just a place to buy groceries, but a beacon of hope to the communities we serve.

Be there

#607, Orlando, Florida

In an effort to salvage her refrigerated food, Alice froze ice blocks prior to the storm’s arrival. After days without power, the ice began to melt, and she found herself desperate to find ice anywhere. She mentioned her quest in passing to Customer Service Staff Patricia Burgess. Pat explained she had ice at home, and since she had power, she would be happy to deliver it to Alice when she got off work.

“Well, I could have cried,” explained Alice. “I called Pat at 3:15 when she got off work, and told her I’d pick up the ice. It lasted until late Friday, when I could finally buy some. I call that real Publix service.”

#1440, Orlando

By the time Produce Clerk Tom Killay realized his attempts at hurricane preparedness had failed, it was too late. His previously stored water had been tainted and the previously filled bathtub had drained overnight. This left him with just a single case of bottled water to ride out the storm and the power outage that would follow.

Having gone three days without power and water, Tom returned to work Tuesday knowing he had no water and little food left at his home. “My assistant manager took special notice and asked about my situation at home. He offered to help but I politely declined. Nobody had non-perishable goods at that point, and what we had received in the store was immediately bought by our customers,” explained Tom.

When Tom returned to his store on Wednesday morning he found his assistant manager had been waiting for him to arrive “He asked me to follow him to his car — that’s when he gave me a care package filled with water, tuna, peanut butter and more. It was everything I would need until my power and water was restored.” Tom felt an instant sense of relief and was happy he could work the rest of his shift without worrying, “It really took all the stress away. I’m not sure he knows just how much this meant to me.”

From Twitter:

“Thanks for being open immediately after #Irma, getting us water before the storm, and just having the best customer service around!”

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“You were with us throughout #Irma. Auburndale store was one of the first businesses to open. They greeted customers with hugs and hot coffee. We (heart) Publix”

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“A BIG thanks to @Publix for everything they’ve done through #Irma! They’ve brought hope to so many people! They truly are #FloridaStrong

From Facebook:

“Thank you #publix & #publixemployees! I just left my store on 117th and 104 in Kendall. We lost all the food in our fridge during the storm…. I was able to go and get some of the things I needed for my daughters….. and I was greeted with a smile…. the girls in the deli and the cashiers asked us how we were doing. I left feeling a little better…. thank you! We are all facing the same things and they are out there serving the community with a smile and amazing customer service and at times like this that means so much!”

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“Yesterday early evening I ran to #Publix in #Edgewater; after I checked out & on my way out the door I was humbled to see a charging station at one of the registers with chairs all around it for customers still without power. This is what it is about, a community coming together. Thank you Publix for bringing me to tears again. #Irmawontholdusdown”

Better Together

It wasn’t just customers you were helping. Associates banded together to support our stores and each other during this difficult time. Whether it was jumping between departments to serve customers or helping repair homes damaged by the storm, when you worked together, you made everything better.

#400, Englewood, Florida

“Things were definitely crazy!” explained Store Manager Sonya Lawman.

When customer service associates were unable to make it in to open the store, a team of managers and associates from grocery and produce, as well as the assistant store manager, pitched in to help.

“My produce manager, grocery manager, assistant produce manager and grocery team leader were the opening cashiers and front service clerks while my assistant store manager and one bakery clerk were in the bakery baking everything they could!

“The deli was busy all day, and our deli associates did such an amazing job of getting customers in and out as quickly as they could,” she recalled. “The hot case line stretched to the back of the store one way, and the line for subs stretched the other direction. I am just so proud of our team of associates who worked together to serve our community in this time of need!”

#551, Kissimmee, Florida

When Deli Clerks Wanda Collins and Ed Anderson lost the roof on their mobile home due to Hurricane Irma, they weren’t sure what they were going to do until three of their fellow deli associates, Robert Nasta, Pablo Lopez and Jean Junior Dure, offered to help. They worked together to repair the roof, so Wanda and Ed wouldn’t have to seek temporary shelter away from their home.

#873, Trinity, Florida

“Our whole team came together to help each other when everyone needed it most,” described Store Manager Jennifer Baxter. “The assistant meat manager was building grocery displays while Grocery RIS [retail improvement specialist] Shawn Soler and District Manager Chris McGough assisted in restocking our shelves after the storm. When water came in, the whole management team helped distribute the water to anxious customers.”

#708, Jacksonville, Florida

When Store Manager Kevin Carine’s house was flooded, it was a devastating loss. Nearby, Black Creek rose to almost 30 feet above normal level, causing more than six feet of water to flow into Kevin’s home — nearly touching the ceiling of the first floor.

In spite of the loss, Kevin managed a smile when four other store managers traveled to his home to help him salvage personal items and remove belongings that were destroyed in the flood.

#690, Newberry, Florida and #1111, Gainesville, Florida

After hearing a large branch fell on their district manager’s house, Store Manager Jeff Thompson, #690, and Assistant Store Manager Brian Sterling, #1111, stopped by after checking on their stores. While both of their families were without power, the managers selflessly spent hours cutting small sections of the branch to lighten the load and keeping their fingers crossed the rest of the branch would not fall through the house.

“Not only did they get the entire branch down and away from our home, Jeff went home, got cleaned up and opened his store for a few hours to serve his community,” District Manager Lisa Patton explained. “I was able to serve my district without the distraction of having damage to my home and free of worry about the limb falling.”