Oprah Winfrey once said, “To move forward, you have to give back.” This is true for many Publix associates who donate their time to uplift their communities. As we approach the holiday season, let’s look at how some associates are sharing the Publix spirit of giving back to their communities.

Cashier Linda Joseph, #1016, Smyrna, Tennessee, has been a part of Nourish Food Bank of Smyrna for the last 13 years. A few years ago, when her family was going through a challenging time, she made the difficult decision to leave her home with her then 14-year-old daughter. Nourish Food Bank of Smyrna assisted her with finding a safe place to stay. Throughout this time, she helped the organization by driving their refrigerated truck to pick up food donations from Publix’s perishable recovery program.

Although she now owns her home and is doing well, she volunteers daily to help the food bank that gave her so much during her time of need.

“Some people think helping 35 hours a week is a lot of time, in addition to my full-time job at Publix,” said Linda. “But hunger doesn’t take a day off.”

Last year, Linda was one of three finalists nominated to receive the Erie Chapman Foundation Servant’s Heart Award from the Center for Nonprofit Management of Tennessee. She is an example of the positive things that happen when you give back to the community.

Meanwhile, Pharmacy Technician Amber Elbaum, #205, Easley, South Carolina, is a member of a volunteer group at the Pickens County Humane Society. The facility takes dogs at risk of being put down at other shelters due to over capacity. Volunteers like Amber foster the dogs after they are spayed or neutered and vaccinated.

“Every year for Christmas and Thanksgiving I buy a turkey, which is then cooked and deboned to be donated to the shelter,” said Amber. “In my mind, this is a way for the dogs living in the shelter to celebrate the holidays as well.”