Publix Super Markets Charities Donates $4 Million to Habitat for Humanity Affiliates

Partnering with more than 80 affiliates of Habitat for Humanity across the Southeast, including Habitat-North Central Georgia, Publix Super Markets Charities announced today that it will donate $4 million to further the foundation’s commitment to meeting affordable housing needs in communities that Publix Super Markets serves. The donation will provide funding to build 40 new houses in 2016 as well as increase support to Habitat affiliates that the foundation currently funds.

In announcing the gift, Carol Jenkins Barnett, president of Publix Super Markets Charities, said, “Every family deserves an opportunity to have a roof over their heads and food on their table. My father established our foundation in 1966 with a strong desire to see our communities thrive. Forty-nine years later, we are continuing his legacy. As we honor my father’s memory and celebrate what would have been his 108th birthday, we are delighted to continue our 26-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity.”

Two local affiliates of Habitat, Atlanta Habitat and Habitat-North Central Georgia, are receiving full house sponsorships as part of the donation. Russ Hayes, CEO of Habitat-North Central Georgia said, “Publix Super Markets Charities has been an extremely generous donor to Habitat-NCG and, with this grant, will have donated nearly one-half million dollars in support of our ministry since 2008 – providing the primary funding for ten new Habitat homes in our service area and helping to transform the lives of ten Habitat homeowners and, most importantly, their children. We are blessed to be a recipient of the foundation’s financial commitment to the public good, and we look forward to working with Publix employees who will be volunteering on the construction of the sponsored home.”

Habitat-North Central Georgia, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, serves the North Fulton area and Cherokee, Forsyth, and Dawson Counties. Since its inception in 1995, it has built or rehabbed 271 homes for hard-working, wage-earning families who demonstrate the capacity for responsible homeownership. Construction on the home sponsored by Publix Super Markets Charities will start in April of 2016. Today, Sabrina Johnson, who was in queue awaiting her Habitat home, learned that she had been selected as the partner family for the sponsored home. She was thrilled to hear the news, saying, “I feel so blessed to have been approved for the Habitat program, and to have Publix Super Markets Charities as the home sponsor is such an honor.” Sabrina is a divorced mother of three young children – Brooklyn (9), Ty (5), and Lacey (3). She is a native of Forsyth County and has been employed as a dental assistant for the last three years. Her new home will be located in Forsyth County.

The generous donation from Publix Super Markets Charities and the volunteer labor to be provided by Publix Super Markets’ associates, working side-by-side with Sabrina Johnson, is a wonderful example of the community joining as one to help a family in need of “a hand-up, not a hand-out” in support of Habitat’s mission: “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.”

About Publix

Publix is privately owned and operated by its 176,500 employees, with 2014 sales of $30.6 billion. Currently Publix has 1,103 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina. The company has been named one of FORTUNE’s “100 Best Companies to Work For in America” for 18 consecutive years. In addition, Publix’s dedication to superior quality and customer service is recognized among the top in the grocery business. For more information, visit the company’s website, corporate.publix.com.

About Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia

Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia is a non-profit, Christian housing ministry that builds affordable homes for purchase by low-income families who demonstrate the capacity for responsible homeownership. Since its inception in 1995, Habitat-NCG has completed 271 homes serving an estimated 1,000 family members in the North Fulton area and Cherokee, Dawson and Forsyth Counties. Habitat-NCG does not give away its homes. Partner families, who earn 30% to 60% of the Atlanta area median income, purchase their homes at or near appraised value utilizing 30-year no-interest financing provided by Habitat. In addition, each partner family is required to attend educational classes and perform 200-300 hours of construction “sweat equity.” Family members work side by side with the volunteers, sponsors, and Habitat staff to build their homes. Habitat-NCG’s slogan is “A Hand Up, Not a Handout.” For more information concerning Habitat for Humanity-North Central Georgia, please visit www.habitat-ncg.org.