The partial closure of the country’s economy due to the Covid-19 pandemic has caused an unusual coin shortage in the market, forcing grocery stores and other businesses to ask customers to pay for their purchases with credit or debit cards because they have no change available. Southeastern Grocers found a positive solution to this problem.
Southeastern Grocers (SEG), parent company and home of BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket, and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, announces the launch of the new SEG Positive Change Round-Up Campaign to help minimize the impact of the current nationwide coin shortage while also providing support to people in need.
During a hearing at the House Financial Services Committee on June 17, Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell explained why there is a coin shortage around the country. “With the partial closure of the economy, the flow of funds through the economy has stopped,” he said. “We are working with the Mint and the Reserve Banks, and as the economy re-opens, we are starting to see money move around again.”
Beginning Friday, July 24, customers throughout the Southeast can help combat the coin shortage and support fellow community members in need by simply rounding up their grocery bill to the nearest dollar at check out, said Southeastern Grocers.
All change donated will be electronically collected and the total will be rounded up to the nearest dollar by Southeastern Grocers to ensure all spare change makes a difference.
“At Southeastern Grocers, we are working diligently to make a difference in the communities we serve, and we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our associates, customers, and neighbors as the country continues to navigate the effects of COVID-19. While the nation’s shortage of coins is unexpected, we see this as another opportunity to once again help our neighbors in need and grow stronger together,” said Anthony Hucker, President and CEO of Southeastern Grocers.
The SEG Positive Change Round-Up Campaign will feature several different charitable partners that share Southeastern Grocers’ goal of creating stronger, healthier communities, said the grocery chain in a press release.
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From July 24 through Aug. 4, customers are encouraged to round up their total grocery bill to the nearest dollar at check out in support of Feeding America and its network of food banks. Every cent donated will aid in the fight against hunger, an ongoing issue that has increased an estimated 46% during the pandemic and impacts 1 in 6 families throughout the Southeast.
From Aug. 5 through Aug. 25, the spare change donated by generous customers will help support the American Heart Association’s Life Is Why We Give™ fundraising campaign designed to encourage people to live healthier, longer lives through the prevention of heart disease and stroke.
From Aug. 26 through Sept. 29, customers are encouraged to round up to support Feeding America for Hunger Action Month, a month dedicated to nationally standing together to fight hunger.
From Sept. 30 through Nov. 3, Southeastern Grocers customers in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas can round up to support the American Red Cross’ Disaster Relief, which enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from natural disasters.
Winn-Dixie customers in Alabama and Mississippi will have the opportunity to support the American Cancer Society Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, and donations from customers in Louisiana will benefit the local Ochsner Cancer Institute.
The grocer will continue the round-up program to combat the coin shortage and provide support to people in need in all BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket, and Winn-Dixie stores throughout the remainder of 2020.
Every cent raised with the SEG Positive Change Round-Up Campaign will go back into the local communities Southeastern Grocers serves through the support of various charitable organizations committed to serving individuals and families in need.