JACKSONVILLE, FLA. - Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG) the parent company of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores gave free groceries to thousands of customers on April 12 during health care professionals and first responders shopping hour. The community heroes who are at the helm of the battle with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, were rewarded at grocery stores across seven states in the southeast United States with a $0 total at the register. 

SEG was motivated to hold the special shopping hour after filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry partnered with Winn-Dixie and Kroger on April 8 during senior and high-risk shopping our to zero out the total each customer’s grocery bill at all 29 Louisiana stores and 44 Atlanta stores. 

“Southeastern Grocers is dedicated to being there for the community when they need us the most, and we believe there is no better time than now to show acts of kindness,” said Anthony Hucker, president and chief executive officer of Southeastern Grocers. “Our heroic health care professionals and first responders are on the front line every day as they work tirelessly to make our communities safer, and we want to do our part to thank them. We were inspired to pay it forward and hope to inspire others so we can continue to lift spirits during this difficult time. As a community, we are stronger together and will win together with kindness.” 

Further contributing to COVID-19 relief efforts, SEG has also donated $250,000 to Feeding America and offering 5,000 paid positions to individuals who have experienced cut-back hours or job loss as a result of COVID-19.