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Southeastern Grocers works with Coca-Cola to share a meal with families in need

Southeastern grocer, Inc. (SEG), parent company and headquarters of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie, has announced the Share a Meal program in collaboration with the SEG Gives Foundation The Coca Cola company.

The campaign offers customers the seamless way to share a meal with families in need by simply purchasing a participating meal. To start the Share a Meal partnership and help fight summer hunger, the SEG Gives Foundation will donate more than $ 100,000 to Feeding America through its network of food banks.

In addition, the grocer is asking customers to round up their entire grocery bill to support Feeding America during the current nationwide shortage of coins.

Until December 31, 2021, customers can help families in need by purchasing a Share a Meal combination from any deli department at BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harvey's Supermarket and Winn-Dixie. For every purchase of participating delicacies and participating Coca-Cola products, 10 cents or a meal will be donated to Feeding America's food banks in SEG's seven states.

The Share a Meal program offers delicacy combinations such as roast chicken, mixed eight-part baked chicken or mixed eight-part fried chicken with Coca-Cola products such as Gold Peak Tea or SmartWater.

“At Southeastern Grocers, we are committed to making a difference in the communities in which we operate. We are honored to work with The Coca-Cola Company on the Share a Meal program to support Feeding America in the ongoing fight against hunger, ”said Anthony Hucker, President and CEO of Southeastern Grocers.

“Our customers can now proudly have a meal donated on their behalf for every participating purchase. We are stronger together and we value our customers who help us to spread friendliness in our communities. "

Pam Stewart, Senior Vice President National Retail Sales of the Coca-Cola Company, said: “Our partnership with Southeastern Grocers and Feeding America demonstrates Coca-Cola's commitment to serving our purpose to make a difference while serving our valued customers . As part of the Share a Meal program, we work together to address food insecurity, which is critical, particularly in communities that are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. "

Food insecurity is an ongoing problem affecting 1 in 6 families across the southeast. This year, coronavirus pandemic hunger could cause more than 54 million people to go hungry due to industrial leave and layoffs – an estimated 46% increase from the 37 million people who had to deal with food insecurity before the pandemic.

With Share a Meal, The Coca-Cola Company and SEG will help offset the impact of food insecurity by providing customers across the Southeast the ability to effectively support their communities.

Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, said: “The pandemic has increased the need for food aid in food banks across the country. At the same time, the nonprofit food system faced numerous challenges, including a decline in food donations, volunteers, and other resources. Feeding America is grateful to Southeastern Grocers and The Coca-Cola Company for their support and commitment to helping our needy neighbors. "

In addition, Southeastern Grocers has launched the SEG Positive Change Round-Up campaign to minimize the impact of the nationwide shortage of coins while helping people in need as their employees, customers and neighbors continue to control the effects of COVID-19.

Customers are encouraged to round up their entire grocery bill to the nearest dollar by the end of 2020 to support various nonprofits. All small change donations made today through August 4 will help Feeding America fight hunger.

These recent community efforts are an extension of the grocer's ongoing commitment to supporting its long-term partner Feeding America through various initiatives that maintain close relationships between its businesses and local food banks, including volunteer efforts by employees, community campaigns, food contributions, and partner collaborations like the Coca-Cola Company.

In addition to the SEG Gives Foundation donation of more than $ 100,000 / £ 77,000 to kick off Share a Meal, Southeastern Grocers helped the country boost the increase in COVID-19 earlier this year with a donation of $ 250,000 / £ 192,000 To counter Feeding America as well as a contribution of nearly US $ 258,000 / £ 3.85 food aid bags equivalent to more than $ 1.28 million / £ 985,000 food.

The grocer, its foundation, and generous customers have donated to Feeding America more than $ 2.5 million / £ 1.9 million in addition to tens of millions of pounds of food through various charities since 2017.