Publix Super Markets Charities has pledged to donate a total of $500,000 to four food banks in Alabama this month.

The donations were announced as part of Publix’s ongoing support of hunger relief efforts and in recognition of September being Hunger Action Month.

The four Yellowhammer State food banks receiving a donation are as follows:

Community Food Bank of Central Alabama Birmingham, $150,000
Feeding the Gulf Coast Theodore, $150,000
Food Bank of North Alabama Huntsville, $100,000
Montgomery Area Food Bank Montgomery, $100,000

Publix will donate a total of $5 million to Feeding America member food banks, schools and other nonprofit organizations across the southeastern United States.

This brings Publix’s total contribution to hunger relief organizations to more than $22 million over the last five years.

“Millions of people in the Southeast — many of them children and seniors — may not know where they will find their next meal. Together, we can help change that,” Kelly Williams-Puccio, executive director of Publix Super Markets Charities, said in a statement. “We are proud to continue our commitment to feeding communities across the Southeast and offer dignity and nourishment to our neighbors in need.”

According to the USDA, one in eight people across America struggles with hunger, including more than 9 million people in Publix’s operating area.

“Every day, food banks in the Feeding America network are on the ground helping children and families who need it most, but we know that we can’t end hunger alone. We are grateful to Publix and Publix Super Markets Charities for their long-standing commitment to fighting hunger in communities across the Southeast. Your donations will have a tremendous impact on the lives of people we serve,” Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, commented.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn