Grocers raise funds for hunger relief efforts

By Stephanie Brooks 28/09/2026 4 min read 6 views

On September 21, the Cardenas Markets Foundation, affiliated with Cardenas Markets of Ontario, California, hosted its 22nd annual golf tournament at Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club, raising nearly $900,000. Funds will support scholarships, hunger relief, disaster response, and health and wellness programs, aligning with the foundation’s charitable mission.

The event brought together vendor partners, Heritage Grocers Group team members and community advocates. Adam Salgado, president of the Cardenas Markets Foundation and chief experience officer of Heritage Grocers Group, said, “The true measure of this event’s success is not the funds raised alone, but the lasting impact those resources will have on individuals, families, and communities.”

As part of the foundation’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration, attendees heard from decorated U.S. Army veteran Ramon Padilla. Born in Tijuana, Mexico, Padilla served in Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan before overcoming life-changing combat injuries and dedicating himself to supporting fellow veterans and his community.

Grocers Give Back

The Cardenas Markets Foundation presented a $1,000 donation to the Salute Military Golf Association on Padilla’s behalf. Other grocers are also marking Hunger Action Month and backing youth sports, health organizations and domestic violence survivors.

The Winn-Dixie Company, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is helping provide 1 million meals to people facing food insecurity during Hunger Action Month through a $100,000 donation to Feeding America. The donation sends $10,000 to each of 10 Feeding America partner food banks across Florida and southern Georgia.

Raymond Rhee, president and CEO of The Winn-Dixie Company, said, “As a grocer, nourishing our communities is more than what we do; it’s part of who we are.” Feeding America leads Hunger Action Month each September to spotlight food insecurity nationwide, with almost 48 million people in the U.S. facing hunger each year.

Lisa Mann, chief development officer for Feeding America, said, “Support from partners like The Winn-Dixie Company is critical in helping the Feeding America network deliver nutritious food to neighbors experiencing food insecurity while responding to the unique needs of their communities.” The Winn-Dixie Company’s campaign builds on the grocer’s year-round commitment to increasing access to nutritious food.

Earlier this year, Winn-Dixie donated $150,000 to the Florida State Alliance of YMCAs to help provide meals and snacks to children during the summer. Customers can also buy prepackaged donation bags for $5, $10 or $15 at Winn-Dixie stores, with each bag going to a local nonprofit that helps people experiencing hunger. Since the program launched in November 2025, it has generated more than $900,000 in donated products for over 100 organizations across Florida and southern Georgia.

Supporting Local Communities

Publix Super Markets Charities donated $250,000 to help Bounty & Soul buy a new warehouse. The nonprofit food bank serves the Black Mountain, Swannanoa and greater Asheville areas of western North Carolina, and it pursued the facility after outgrowing its existing space. Volunteers will sort and prepare food for distribution in a dedicated area of the building, which will be named the Publix Charities Sorting Space and is expected to open in early 2027.

In 2025, Bounty & Soul provided relief to almost 290,000 people from more than 87,000 households. That year it also worked with 65 local farms and businesses, distributed more than 2 million pounds of produce, invested more than $1 million in the regional food economy and delivered almost 5,000 food boxes to homebound residents.

John Doran, executive director of Publix Charities, said, “Bounty & Soul has been a critical resource for western North Carolina families, especially in the wake of Hurricane Helene.” The charity has supported Bounty & Soul since 2018.

Associated Wholesale Grocers‘ AWG Cares recently awarded $3,000 grants to four nonprofits, each requested by AWG teammates. The recipients include The American Heart Association, The Starfish Project Foundation, Blood Cancer United, and Safe Harbor Northshore.

Tops Friendly Markets, based in Williamsville, New York, awarded $5,000 grants to three youth soccer organizations. Customers nominated the groups in June and July through a sweepstakes tied to this summer’s international soccer tournament in North America. The winners are Chili Soccer Association in Rochester, New York; the Amherst Soccer Association’s U16 Rangers in Williamsville; and Crawford County Youth Soccer Association in Meadville, Pennsylvania.

Ron Ferri, president of Tops Markets, said, “The exciting summer of soccer in the U.S. reminded us of the power of sports to bring people together and build confidence and teamwork among aspiring young athletes.” Tops received hundreds of nominations, and the three customers who nominated the winners each received a $500 gift card. The company’s charitable efforts are part of a larger trend of grocers giving back to their communities, with many companies donating to local food banks and other organizations.