Publix ranks first among March of Dimes corporate partners

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.

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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.”

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