With decades of partnership, countless volunteer hours, store associate contributions, and corporate investments, we cannot imagine a United Way of Greater Atlanta that exists without Publix Super Markets green.
Publix’s founder George Jenkins, known as Mr. George, believed in leaving communities better than he found them, and wove that commitment through his business plan from the grocery store’s inception.
One partnership, multiplied impact
Mr. George lived in Atlanta while attending Georgia Tech before moving to Lakeland, Florida to start a small grocery store that would later grow to become a regional supermarket. But from the start, he was known for his outsized generosity, and commitment to causes like hunger, disaster relief, education, and homelessness.
45 years ago, Mr. George chose United Way as a strategic partner to address this wide range of community needs. In doing so, he helped support the hundreds of nonprofits that United Way collaborates with to maximize their impact.
“We at Publix truly believe that we build our business by helping build our communities. It goes back to the supermarket being a kind of center of a neighborhood—it’s where people gather, and it’s where we serve,” said Bob Moore, the Atlanta Division Vice President at the start of their annual campaign in the early 2000s. “That’s why we are involved with United Way, because it truly puts the dollars where it needs to be. It brings strength to community, it makes it alive, and we’re thankful to be a part of it.”
Publix associate contributions stay local, supporting the local United Way that serves the neighborhood where associates live and work. Within United Way of Greater Atlanta’s 13-county footprint, 140 Publix stores participate in workplace giving campaigns. Every one of these stores is actively engaged, with associates committed to making a difference in their communities.
Maricela Navarro started working at Publix when she was 15 years old, and remembers being given the opportunity for the job when she didn’t even speak English.
“I started as a janitor and worked my way up to store manager,” Maricela shared in 2018. “Now, I believe that I have a duty to help my community, just like my store manager gave me a chance.”
Answering the call for help
It’s not just Publix associates driving change—another one of the biggest impacts of Publix’s partnership has been their commitment to power our 211 Contact Center by donating at the corporate level.
Last year, they funded the equivalent of 12,500 calls, allowing us to address urgent needs like food and housing through our database of partners.
>> READ MORE: Since 1997, help is just three digits away
In an often-told story at Publix, someone once asked their founder, “Mr. George, how much do you think you’d be worth today if you hadn’t given away so much?” He responded, without hesitation, “Probably nothing.”
Publix Super Markets has shown what’s possible when corporate partners and individuals unite to give, helping children reach their educational potential, ensuring families have access to food and shelter, and empowering neighborhoods to thrive.
Because the truth is, communities are only as strong as the people we support. When families are stable, children are learning, and neighbors are connected, everyone benefits—including the companies that call these places home.
Imagine the future that we could build together if more organizations followed Publix’s lead. If your company is ready to launch a community partnership that drives real impact, you can reach out to our corporate relations team. And if you’re an individual who wants to make a difference, you can start today by donating here. Together, we can create lasting change, one act of generosity at a time.