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Publix ranks first among March of Dimes corporate partners

Grocer marks sixth consecutive year as leading donor to infant and maternal health charity

Russell Redman

June 24, 2021

2 Min Read
Publix_food_pharmacy_storefront_1.jpg
Publix raised more than $5.4 million in 2021 through its checkout donation campaign.Publix Super Markets

For the sixth straight year, Publix Super Markets has been named as the top corporate partner of March of Dimes.

The Arlington, Va.-based nonprofit group, which works to improve infant and maternal health, said Thursday that longtime partner Publix raised more than $5.4 million in 2021 through its checkout donation campaign, up from $3.4 million in 2020. This year’s contribution lifted the supermarket chain’s 26-year total donations to $95 million.

“We’re honored to once again be recognized as March of Dimes’ No. 1 corporate partner,” Dwaine Stevens, director of community relations at Publix, said in a statement. “Each year, our customers and associates give so generously to support healthier moms and stronger babies. We’re proud of our 26-year history with March of Dimes and helping them provide every baby the best possible start.”

Publix’s annual in-store campaign asks customers to donate a dollar to March of Dimes when checking out at the cash register. Associates also are encouraged to make donations and participate. All stores and support departments have an associate who represents their March of Dimes team through such efforts as ordering T-shirts and other merchandise benefiting the cause, hosting fundraisers in stores and departments, and assisting with the customer donation campaign, according to Publix, which added that associates also participate in the March for Babies, the charity’s largest fundraiser.

Related:Publix sales edge up in first quarter

Founded over 80 years ago, March of Dimes supports medical research, education of pregnant women and mothers, community programs and government advocacy. It provides women and families with educational resources on baby health, pregnancy, preconception and motherhood, along with information and support to families with infants in the newborn intensive care unit (NCIU) due to premature birth, birth defects and other health problems.

Funds donated by Publix customers and associates help support more than 50,000 families annually through NICU initiatives, including the NICU Family Support program, the My NICU Baby App and educational materials, March of Dimes said. Initiatives such as “It Starts With Mom” reach more than 95 million women to raise awareness about infant and maternal health.

“For more than two decades, Publix has inspired their community to help ensure all moms and babies have the best possible start,” commented Stacey Stewart, president and CEO of March of Dimes. “We are grateful for all of their dedicated associates and customers who have worked together as a distinct community to raise critical funds to further our mission. March of Dimes is looking forward to seeing this collaboration flourish for many years to come.”

Related:Stop & Shop, Publix, Hy-Vee go chainwide with COVID-19 vaccines

Currently, Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix operates 1,272 stores in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia.

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About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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