Origins:
Summer is a critical period for families facing food insecurity, with 1 in 5 Florida children experiencing hunger according to Feeding America. In June 2026, The Winn-Dixie Company (TWDC) and The Winn-Dixie Company Gives Foundation launched a statewide partnership with the Florida State Alliance of YMCAs to help address childhood hunger during the summer months when children may lose reliable access to school-year meal programs. Through a $150,000 donation, the partnership funded YMCA programs providing nutritious meals and snacks alongside educational enrichment, physical activity and safe, welcoming spaces. The initiative supported more than 6,000 children across four YMCA associations serving 19 Florida counties. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, the funding empowered each association to develop locally tailored solutions. Programs included daily summer meal services, take-home backpack meals, mobile food distribution, pantry operations and fresh produce initiatives that expanded healthy food access in high-need areas. To launch the partnership, Winn-Dixie associates volunteered alongside YMCA staff at the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, assembling meal and snack packs for program participants. This kickoff demonstrated Winn-Dixie’s commitment to pairing financial support with hands-on community engagement. By combining charitable giving, associate volunteerism and the YMCA’s trusted local network, the partnership strengthened food security for thousands of Florida children while helping nourish neighbors and enrich the communities Winn-Dixie proudly serves.
Contribution:
TWDC and The Winn-Dixie Company Gives Foundation contributed $150,000 to expand access to nutritious food for children facing hunger during the summer months. The donation supported YMCA programs across four associations serving 19 Florida counties, helping provide meals, snacks and other locally tailored hunger-relief resources for more than 6,000 children. Winn-Dixie associates, including local and regional leaders, also engaged directly in the initiative through hands-on volunteerism. At the launch event with the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA, associates volunteered alongside YMCA staff to assemble meal and snack packs for summer program participants, creating a personal connection to the communities they serve. By pairing charitable giving with associate engagement, the program delivered immediate support to families in need while strengthening local partnerships focused on childhood food insecurity.
Objectives:
This summer partnership aligned with TWDC’s commitment to fighting hunger and fostering community engagement. The program’s primary objective was to reduce summer food insecurity by helping close the meal gap for Florida children who may lose access to school-year nutrition programs. By partnering with the Florida State Alliance of YMCAs, the initiative expanded access to nutritious food through locally tailored solutions, including pantry operations, mobile delivery, meal services, backpack meals and fresh produce programs, that met the unique geographic needs of families across 19 counties. The program supported children’s health, learning and well-being, helping them participate in enriching summer activities without the burden of hunger. Finally, the partnership strengthened regional community networks and provided meaningful volunteer opportunities for Winn-Dixie associates to actively support their local communities.
Impact:
By partnering with the Florida State Alliance of YMCAs, TWDC delivered measurable relief by helping provide nutritious meals and snacks to more than 6,000 children across 19 counties. Rather than using a one-size-fits-all model, the program’s success stemmed from localized flexibility. Funding empowered four regional YMCA associations to deploy community-specific tactics, including summer meal sites, take-home backpack programs, mobile food distribution and fresh produce initiatives. The partnership supported the First Coast YMCA in Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau and St. Johns counties; the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA in Hillsborough County; the YMCA of Central Florida across Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties; and the YMCA of Southwest Florida serving Charlotte, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Manatee and Sarasota counties. This locally targeted approach effectively expanded healthy food access where it was most needed. Beyond direct community impact, the initiative generated significant public awareness and advocacy. The campaign garnered 363 media stories, reaching an audience of more than 8.52 million. This extensive coverage went beyond celebrating the donation by amplifying vital YMCA resources and summer programs while elevating awareness around childhood food insecurity. The program’s impact was further strengthened by pairing financial support with corporate volunteerism, as local and regional Winn-Dixie leaders packed meals alongside YMCA staff. By leveraging the YMCA’s trusted regional network, the program maximized its reach, keeping thousands of children nourished, healthy and engaged throughout the summer.
Quote:
Jennifer Short, Chief People Officer for The Winn-Dixie Company, said, “Summer should be a time for kids to learn, play and create lasting memories — not a time when families have to worry about where their next meal will come from. We take our responsibility as a hometown grocer seriously, and through our partnership with the Florida State Alliance of YMCAs, we’re helping provide nutritious meals and essential support for children across our home state of Florida. At Winn-Dixie, nourishing our neighbors is at the heart of who we are, and we’re proud to stand alongside the Y to help families thrive during one of the most critical times of the year for those facing food insecurity.”
Support Statement:
Lynne Wilcox, President and CEO of the Florida State Alliance of YMCAs, said, “Strengthening a community takes all of us, and The Winn-Dixie Company showed up in a meaningful way for Florida families this summer. By empowering local YMCAs to tailor food distribution to the unique needs of their communities, this initiative helped ensure resources reached families where they were needed most. We are grateful for The Winn-Dixie Company’s unwavering dedication to keeping Florida’s youth nourished and healthy while giving them the opportunity to learn, grow and make special summer memories.”
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