Southeastern Grocers Announces Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Recipients

Grocer awards grant funds to minority-serving organizations on Romay Davis’ 101st birthday

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, together with the SEG Gives Foundation, proudly announces the first-ever Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Program award recipients. The grant program supports deserving organizations that assist in leveling the playing field for communities that face racial disparities in education, health care and food insecurity.

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Southeastern Grocers awards grant funds to minority-serving organizations on Romay Davis’ 101st birthday (Photo: Business Wire)

The inaugural Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant Program was established last summer to address social inequality in America. Southeastern Grocers received competitive proposals from numerous organizations throughout its seven-state footprint. The following nine nonprofits will be awarded grant funds totaling $100,000:

• American Heart Association Fresh Pantry in Schools, Metairie, LA
• Grace Medical Home, Orlando, FL
• Guardian Catholic Schools, Jacksonville, FL
• Historic Eastside Community Development Corporation, Jacksonville, FL
• Louisiana Center for Health Equity, Baton Rouge, LA
• MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, Jacksonville, FL
• Sanctuary of Northeast Florida, Inc., Jacksonville, FL
• Teach for America Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL
• The Society of St. Andrew – FL, Orlando, FL

Elizabeth Thompson, Executive Vice President & Chief People Officer for Southeastern Grocers, said, “This year has brought overwhelming challenges for many of our associates, customers and community members. At Southeastern Grocers, we’ve kept a positive outlook because of hardworking organizations like the ones supported by the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant. Today, as we celebrate Ms. Romay’s special story on her 101st birthday, we also look ahead to the future of these incredible organizations that share our commitment in making our communities stronger.”

The grocer's announcement of the Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant recipients is on the 101st birthday of 20-year Winn-Dixie associate, Romay Davis. The grant was named in honor of Ms. Romay to recognize her fascinating history as a WWII veteran, NYU scholar, New York fashion designer and model, Black Belt in Taekwondo, community advocate and much more. SEG celebrates Ms. Romay’s accomplishments during an era when women and people of color faced crippling challenges and restricted rights. The Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant is a program that strongly echoes SEG’s long-term commitment to help in the fight against racial injustice.

Romay Davis, 101-year-old Winn-Dixie associate and grant namesake, said, “One of the greatest things that could ever happen to you is to have people respect you, love you, do for you and help you. I could hardly believe it when I heard a grant would be named after me. To be here makes me feel very surprised and grateful. I am proud of the company for doing something this meaningful.”

Throughout its history, SEG has built on its culture of giving with community partnership and charitable endeavors. The Romay Davis Belonging, Inclusion and Diversity Grant was developed as a way to continue those efforts by aiding underserved sectors of communities throughout the grocer’s footprint. This year alone, SEG and the SEG Gives Foundation has donated more than $3 million to organizations that strengthen communities impacted by racial disparities in food insecurity and health care.

About Southeastern Grocers
Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, is one of the largest conventional supermarket companies in the U.S. SEG grocery stores, liquor stores and in-store pharmacies serve communities throughout the seven southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina. BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie are well-known and well-respected regional brands with deep heritages, strong neighborhood ties, proud histories of giving back, talented and caring associates and strong commitments to providing the best possible quality and value to customers. For more information, visit www.bi-lo.com, www.frescoymas.com, www.harveyssupermarkets.com and www.winndixie.com.

About SEG Gives Foundation
SEG Gives Foundation is the charitable arm of Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG), parent company of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores. The SEG Gives Foundation aligns giving with causes that are priorities to the communities SEG serves, including the fight against hunger, support for military service members and their families, relief to those affected by extreme weather and natural disasters and quality educational opportunities for students. Southeastern Grocers strives to be ingrained in its communities and, through the SEG Gives Foundation, better the lives of its customers and neighbors.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201029005361/en/

For SEG interviews or images contact:
Kaley Shaffer
Director of Public Relations and Community
Cell: (904) 612-9441
[email protected]

Source: Southeastern Grocers, Inc.

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