In July, Southeastern Grocers, Inc., parent company and home of BI-LO, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, announced the donation of $1,216,416.65 to Folds of Honor, which will provide at least 243 educational scholarships to the children and spouses impacted by a loved one’s sacrifice for the United States military.
This significant donation was made on behalf of SEG’s generous customers during a six-week community donation program which took place in all BI-LO, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores. Customers rounded up their total grocery bill to the nearest dollar at checkout leading up to Memorial Day through the Fourth of July. The program was a part of SEG’s continued commitment to support Folds of Honor, and every cent donated will provide brighter futures for the legacies of fallen and disabled service members through education.
“We are overwhelmed by the giving hearts of our customers and associates, and we want to thank everyone for their extraordinary efforts to exceed our goal to donate more than $1.2 million to Folds of Honor in our stores,” Anthony Hucker, president and CEO of Southeastern Grocers, said. “While the sacrifices of our fallen and disabled service members can never be fully repaid, it is our privilege to continue to stand with Folds of Honor to brighten the futures of at least 243 military spouses and children of America’s heroes.”
Southeastern Grocers also held a press conference July 10 with Folds of Honor leadership to celebrate the donation results and present the organization with a check for $1,216,416.65 at the Stallion 51 hangar in Kissimmee, Florida. During the event, the grocer awarded Mobile, Alabama Winn-Dixie cashier Melissa Marlin with a once-in-a-lifetime orientation flight in the legendary Crazy Horse 2, a P-51 Mustang, for her efforts to encourage the most donations from customers in its stores throughout the Southeast.
“It’s powerful partnerships like the one we have with Southeastern Grocers that allow us to strengthen the lives of so many of our military family members through continuing education,” Major Dan Rooney, founder and CEO of Folds of Honor, said. “Each scholarship we grant is a tribute to those who served and those who continue to serve the ultimate sacrifice for this country. We’re thankful to Southeastern Grocers and its customers for helping us show our gratitude to more than 243 of our service members.”
Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 20,000 educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. Last year alone, Folds of Honor awarded 4,000 educational scholarships throughout the United States, including more than 1,300 scholarships within the seven states Southeastern Grocers serves. However, the need is still great; 700 eligible and qualified applicants throughout the United States went unfunded in 2018. Thanks to the partnership with Southeastern Grocers, Folds of Honor is now at least 243 scholarships closer to lowering that number in 2019.
