Publix and United Way Suncoast:
Partners in Supporting our Communities!
A Beautiful Thing
Under the declaration, A Beautiful Thing, the latest Publix commercial reflects the handmade tenderness associates use in crafting fresh baked bread, delicious subs and exquisite desserts. However, it could just as easily describe The partnership between Publix associates and United Way Suncoast.
The same dedication that makes bakery goods, deli delights and fresh fruits a Publix trademark has also created pictures of community service for more than 40 years. Your donations have preschoolers arriving on the first day of Kindergarten ready to learn, high schoolers overcoming societal pitfalls and families overcoming unexpected setbacks. You fuel the drive that helps us Annually impact the lives of more than 500,000 people.
We still have challenges facing our community, but as this year’s theme suggests, we are Partners in Progress, continuing to team up and provide help and hope with programs that are available to those in need, including Publix associates. You can trust us to make the most of every dollar you give, just as we’ve done since our start in 1924. For 100 years, we’ve mobilized caring people to action because we know that Together, we’re greater than any challenge.
As United Way Suncoast’s top workplace campaign, you can arrive at work each day knowing your work in the store leads to work for folks who need a helping hand. When a person in need knows someone out there cares for them, it is indeed A Beautiful Thing.
Early Learning
Our programs are designed to give PreK students the educational start they need to be prepared for kindergarten and ensure K-3 students are reading on grade-level by the end of 3rd grade. This is a critical indicator of future success as studies show that children who read on grade level by the time they start 4th grade are four times more likely to graduate high school
Financial Stability
Our work centers around the 45% of Suncoast households who can’t cover basic needs and are one emergency away from crisis – the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population. Assistance is provided in a variety of ways including:
- Resource Centers – help adults reach a more financially stable future for themselves and their families by providing GED classes, resume assistance, computer access, legal aid and more:
- Financial Education – programs designed to help you make the most of your hard-earned dollars.
- Money Matters – free webinars covering a variety of topics like Budgeting, Paying for College, Disaster Preparedness and Home Buying
- Financial Coaching – Individuals are paired with volunteer coaches who assist them in building a budget, saving, credit repair and other financial goals
- VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) – provides FREE one-on-one and online tax prep assistance to thousands of lower-income households ($73K max annual HH income for the latest tax year), ensuring they receive their maximum refunds. So far in 2023, VITA volunteers helped 9,942 families access nearly $10M in refunds and saved fees.
- Bank On Suncoast – connects unbanked and underbanked individuals with safe, affordable checking accounts.
Help in a Crisis
Through partnerships like 211 and our own emergency funding, we are here to help when our community is in crisis.
Youth Success
This initiative builds on the foundational elements of early learning by supporting youth success programs focused on college and career readiness skills and on-time graduation for middle and high school students.
For more info on the work that you help fund, view our 2022-25 Community Investment Strategic Partnerships by Impact Area.
Our sincerest gratitude goes out to all of you who go above and beyond to make our community a better place for all. We are proud to partner with you and grateful for your support. Thank you to all our existing United Way Suncoast donors. And, if you haven’t donated before, we hope this small glimpse into the critical work that you fund will inspire you to join all the wonderful Publix associates already giving back through their paycheck.
To make your donation, see your United Way Store Coordinator. If you are making a designation, print and fill out your 2024 Designation Form, then turn in to your United Way Store Coordinator before the campaign ends on September 17. Remember, you also need to make your actual pledge through the corporate pledge site.