Winn-Dixie Customers Can Donate To USO At Checkout Through June 16

The Jacksonville-based Winn-Dixie Company launched an in-store donation campaign with the United Service Organizations (USO) ahead of Memorial Day, asking customers in Florida and southern Georgia to support military members and their families.

Shoppers can donate $1, $5 or round up their total at checkout now through June 16 at Winn-Dixie stores.

The money raised will help the USO provide food assistance, family support services and emergency assistance across military communities in Florida and southern Georgia, according to the company.

Winn-Dixie said that includes critical resources and emergency response support, such as hurricane relief efforts, for service members and military families.

“Memorial Day is a time to reflect on the extraordinary sacrifices made by the courageous men and women of our military. Through our ongoing partnership with the USO, we are honored to turn our gratitude into meaningful impact by ensuring local service members and their families are nourished and supported,” Anthony Hucker, chair and CEO of The Winn-Dixie Company, said. “Our community donation program is a powerful way to answer the call together and help provide comfort, care and critical resources for those who protect our country every day.”

Florida and Georgia have a strong military presence, including several major military installations and a large population of active-duty, reserve and veteran service members, the company said.

The campaign builds on its ongoing partnership with the USO and its year-round community initiatives focused on military members, veterans and their families.

“We are deeply grateful to The Winn-Dixie Company for their continued commitment to supporting military families. Our partnership is a powerful reminder, especially during the Memorial Day season, that those who serve are never alone,” Ben Leslie, chief development officer for the USO, said. “The generosity of Winn-Dixie’s communities helps us deliver critical programs, including food assistance and disaster response, across Florida and Georgia. Together, we’re strengthening the connection between military families and the communities that stand beside them.”

Last year, Winn-Dixie partnered with the USO to help provide more than 600 Thanksgiving meals to military families in Jacksonville and Tampa, and gave military spouses in Florida bouquets and gift cards ahead of Mother’s Day in honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day.

The company also donated $50,000 to the USO in partnership with DLJ Produce.