Non-perishables being collected to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts
Mayor Alvin Brown is leading an effort to help replenish food supplies in the Northeast as residents and public officials continue the recovery process following Hurricane Sandy.
The mayor joined BI-LO and Winn-Dixie President and Chief Executive Officer Randall Onstead and Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals to announce the collection effort and make a call to action for city residents who want to help.
“Many people have been without power. Others have lost wages and some have lost their homes,” said Mayor Brown. “I know the images on the news may stir some painful memories for those of us who have survived storms in the past, but those images say it all. There are people out there who need our help.”
Bins are located at City Hall and the Ed Ball Building to collect non-perishable food items such as canned goods, uncooked rice and dry pasta in the original sealed packaging. There also will be opportunities to donate food at the city’s Veterans Job Fair at the Prime Osborn Convention Center on Friday, Nov. 9, and at the annual Veterans Day Parade on Monday, Nov. 12.
BI-LO and Winn-Dixie will donate two tractor trailers worth of non-perishable canned and bottled foods and supplies to support the effort.
“As a leading food retailer, no societal problem is more aligned with our core business than hunger. As the hometown supermarket of Jacksonville, we are pleased to partner with Mayor Brown and the City of Jacksonville in response to the destruction of Hurricane Sandy,” said Onstead.
The collection efforts are being supported by JEA, JAXPORT, the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and Jacksonville Aviation Authority as well as Duval County Public Schools. Starting Wednesday, Nov. 7, there will be collection bins stationed at public schools throughout Jacksonville.
“Duval County Public Schools is proud to partner with the City of Jacksonville in this initiative to collect essential items that will aid in the recovery process for the families and individuals who have suffered loss from the inclement weather,” said Superintendent Pratt-Dannals. “I strongly encourage Duval County public schools and all employees to do their part in contributing to the fundraising efforts to help those who have been affected by Hurricane Sandy.”
Non-perishable food items can be deposited at the following locations. More may be announced throughout the week:
Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 - (Ongoing)
- City Hall, 117 W. Duval St., 32202
- Ed Ball Building, 214 N. Hogan St., 32202
Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012 - (Ongoing)
- Jacksonville Public Library – Main Library, 303 North Laura St., 32202
- JTA – Rosa Parks/FSCJ Station, 201 W. Union St., 32202
- JEA – Tower lobby, 21 W. Church St., 32202
Wednesday, Nov. 7 - (Ongoing)
- Duval County Public Schools
Friday, Nov. 9 - 8:30 a.m.
- Veterans Job Fair, Prime Osborn Convention Center
Monday, Nov. 12 - 11 a.m.
- Veterans Day Parade, Prime Osborn Convention Center
About BI-LO and Winn-Dixie
Jacksonville-based BI-LO Holding is the ninth-largest traditional supermarket chain in the United States. Under the banner names of BI-LO and Winn-Dixie, the company employs 63,000 team members who serve customers in 687 grocery stores and 493 in-store pharmacies throughout the eight southeastern states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. BI-LO and Winn-Dixie are well-known and well-respected regional brands with deep heritages, strong neighborhood ties, proud histories of giving back, talented and loyal team members, and strong commitments to providing the best possible quality and value to customers. For more information, please visit
www.bi-lo.com and
www.winn-dixie.com.