Giving back to the community was a main priority for both a local grocery giant and a newly formed club chapter at Ponte Vedra High School. So, it only made sense to work together to help a local charity help feed the homeless.
Winn-Dixie and the Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation partnered Ponte Vedra High School’s new chapter of DoSomething, a national youth service organization, to present $2,000 in food to the St. Francis House Crisis Center in St. Augustine.
PVHS student representatives of the club and Winn Dixie representatives picked up food donations at the Ponte Vedra Beach-based store on Thursday, July 9, and delivered it to the St. Francis House, located at 70 Washington St. in St. Augustine,
The mission of the 30-year residential program is to provide access to essential services and address the critical needs of the local homeless population. The donation will help the St. Francis House stock its pantry while it deals with added pressure stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jake Brice, president of PVHS’ DoSomething chapter, said his college coordinator helped connect the club with representatives from Winn Dixie, which has been beneficial for the club — and the grocer.
“When the DoSomenthing Club reached out to Winn-Dixie, we were inspired by their passion for helping the community, especially during the current pandemic,” said Shawn Sloan, Winn-Dixie Regional vice president, North Florida. “Through the Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation, we were thrilled to donate shelf-stable food to help these determined students support the good work of St. Francis House and stock their pantry for those who have fallen on hard times.”
The DoSomething Club is a national nonprofit program that empowers high school students to mobilize their peers to make an impact in their schools and communities.
The PVHS chapter currently boasts three members — Brice, Oliver Jenkins and Alexis Boselli — and was formed in late May. The local chapter is working on other initiatives to help local charities, including the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and has plans for continued combined efforts with Winn Dixie.
“This partnership was a natural extension of our continued efforts to support food insecure families and individuals who may not know where their next meal will come,” Sloan said. “At Winn-Dixie, we believe this responsibility expands outside our doors to help replenish food pantry shelves and provide nourishment for neighbors in need. As a community, we are all stronger together.
A sense of community was also a big factor for Brice and his reason for starting the local chapter of DoSomething.
“It just feels good to give back to the community, and this community has given so much to me,” Brice said, “Ponte Vedra High School is a great school, funded by the community around us, so it just feels good to give back.”
