Impact Awards 2023: Southeastern Grocers, Community Service/Local Impact
Retailers, product suppliers and service providers across the private label industry work on a daily basis to provide consumers quality products that offer great value and enhance their lives. But many companies go above and beyond, and take steps daily to protect the environment, enhance diversity programs, implement unique workforce initiatives, support needed community programs and more.
To honor the work of companies across our industry, Store Brands’ 2022 Impact Awards features several leading organizations that throughout the year have taken steps to support their customers and communities beyond the walls of their stores or manufacturing facilities.
The following profiles showcase the work of companies in several important categories: Sustainability and Resource Conservation; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Ethical Sourcing and Supply Chain Transparency; Workforce Development and Employee Support; Community Service and Local Impact; Educational Support and Learning Advancement; Food Security, Safety and Nutritional Leadership; and Philanthropic Innovation and Corporate Giving Initiatives.
Company: Southeastern Grocers
Impact Award: Community Service/Local Impact
Giving back to and supporting the communities it serves across the southeastern United States is a focal point for Southeastern Grocers (SEG).
Throughout 2022, SEG has supported numerous charitable organizations and causes that help support those in need. For example, the grocer has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars into the communities it serves as part of grand opening celebrations, with each grand opening highlighting a local community partner that received a donation.
Additionally, SEG stores annually support local heroes, including firefighters, police officers and first responders who protect and serve local communities; veterans organizations that honor and support those who have fought and continue to fight for the country’s freedoms; educational professionals who help nurture students inside and outside of the classroom; and food banks committed to providing families in need with hunger relief. In 2021, SEG completed nearly 80 store improvements and gave back more than $5.5 million to local communities.
SEG also offers Community Bags with a Giving Tag to help reduce the use of plastic bags while supporting local organizations. For every bag sold, $1 is donated to a local nonprofit organization selected by each store. Since the launch of the program in 2019, SEG has donated more than $402,000 to 7,496 local nonprofit organizations.
The grocer also remains dedicated to the fight against hunger and eliminating food insecurity in local communities. Through the retail donation program, stores are paired with a local Feeding America food bank partner to pick up donated products weekly.
In 2021, SEG donated more than 18.6 million meals through retail donations to support food bank partners and community members in need.
SEG associates are given multiple opportunities to volunteer year-round, including at mobile food pantry events during Hunger Action Month in September and throughout the holidays. Associates throughout the Southeast have also built multiple houses with Habitat for Humanity, donated to various local LGBTQ+ organizations through internal fundraisers, supported women’s shelter organizations with critical items and activated their own volunteer work through local company-sponsored volunteer opportunities.