JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG) and its SEG Gives Foundation donated $362,600 to help Feeding America fight food insecurity during the holidays and all year long, the retailer said Wednesday.

The more than $360,000 raised during Southeastern Grocer’s holiday hunger relief community donation campaign will support Feeding America in its ongoing efforts to fight food insecurity during the holidays and all year long.

The donation was made possible by customers and associates who rounded up their total grocery bill or made a donation at Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie stores during the grocer’s three-week holiday hunger relief community donation campaign. Every cent raised will support Feeding America and network food banks in communities throughout SEG’s five-state footprint, the company said.

“At Southeastern Grocers, we are committed to helping our neighbors when they need us most, and it’s an honor to build upon our longstanding partnership with Feeding America to help families in need prepare holiday meals and create special memories with their loved ones,” SEG president and CEO Anthony Hucker said. “Time and time again, our customers and associates have displayed immense generosity to the communities where they live and work, especially during the holiday season. We are incredibly grateful to serve such compassionate people and strive to mirror the dedication our customers and associates have for strengthening their communities.”

Communities across the country have experienced a consistent increase in food insecurity since the start of the pandemic with more than 38 million people, including 12 million children, needing assistance, according to a report released by U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service.