“Military families in need got a boost last week when employees of Winn-Dixie donated hundreds of turkeys and holiday meal essentials, just in time for the big feast.
A long line of cars streamed in and out of the parking lot at the Neptune Beach store for the event, held in partnership with the USO. Recipients were required to preregister with the organization.
“The USO is overwhelmed by the wonderful generosity demonstrated throughout this campaign,” said Jim Whaley, regional president, USO Southeast Region. “Winn-Dixie’s support ensures the USO keeps our service members connected to the people and places they love, while delivering a little bit of home to our service members and their families during the holidays. We are thankful for their commitment to the USO and their support of our military communities who sacrifice so much throughout their service to our nation.”
This is at least the second time this month that the store participated in a local holiday meal distribution. Two Men and a Truck moving company connected with Winn-Dixie to deliver more than 400 holiday meals to low-income seniors in St. Johns County recently.
Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn-Dixie, set a goal of donating 5,000 frozen turkeys to communities throughout the Southeast to help more than 38 million people — including 12 million children — who may experience food insecurity this year. Due to the lasting effects of the pandemic, these donations will provide communities with more than 85,000 pounds of turkey to feed individuals and families in need.
Food distributions took place in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi. According to a story in the Coastal Breeze News (published in Marco Island), even a group of Pennsylvania bankers — visiting the tony barrier island for their annual convention — lent a hand to the effort there….”
View the whole story here: https://www.jacksonville.com/story/lifestyle/shorelines/2021/11/27/winn-dixie-delivers-holiday-meals-military-families/8723501002/