by David Ball
Staff Writer
Several Northeast Florida non-profits are going to have a better holiday season than expected after splitting $250,000 in contributions from the Winn-Dixie Foundation.
The local gifts are part of $1.05 million in money donated to groups in Winn-Dixie’s operating area, including Orlando, Tampa, Miami and New Orleans.
However, the Jacksonville-based grocer’s non-profit group will be donating the biggest chunk to 10 First Coast organizations during a ceremony at noon today at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Florida, 1502 Jessie St. In addition, Second Harvest will receive $25,000 worth of donated Winn-Dixie food and groceries.
“They will be getting a semi loaded with food; roughly, forty-two thousand pounds of food,” said Patrick McSweeney from Winn-Dixie marketing firm St. John & Partners. “That will come in real handy for the food bank, especially this time of year.”
The donations will come in handy for all of the groups, said Karen Brune Mathis, executive director of Dreams Come True, one of the groups being awarded.
“This is not an easy time in the economy,” said Mathis. “When you read the stories and hear the news, you know that the nation is under some economic duress. So when corporations and foundations help non-profits during times such as these, it’s a very big impact.”
The Winn-Dixie Foundation was established in 1944 and routinely grants money to organizations focused on hunger, women and children, education and health initiatives.
In Jacksonville, the holiday gifts will go to daniel Memorial, Fresh Ministries, Girls Scouts of Gateway Council, HabiJax, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Real Sense Prosperity Campaign, United Negro College Fund, Second Harvest Food Bank, Toys for Tots, Dreams Come True and Ponte Vedra Beach Park.
McSweeney said the Winn-Dixie Foundation board selected from groups that had previously applied for foundation grants. The holiday gift grants are funded through proceeds from the Winn-Dixie Charity Classic golf tournament presented by Wachovia, which was held at the World Golf Village on Oct. 30 and generated more than $1.42 million.
This is the second year holiday gifts have been granted to charities across the five cities. Last year, the Foundation awarded $675,000 to non-profits, including $175,000 in Jacksonville.
McSweeney said many of the Jacksonville charities won’t know exactly how much money they are receiving until they unwrap their checks today. However, the 10 charities should average about $25,000 per group.
“To be honest, we’re overwhelmed with Winn-Dixie’s generosity,” said Mathis. “It is such a welcome gift to our children, and it means that we can continue to fulfill our mission, which is to fulfill the dreams of children on the First Coast with life-threatening illnesses.”