Winn-Dixie, in conjunction with its charitable arm, the Winn-Dixie Gives Foundation, is hosting free, weekly mobile food pantry events during a transition at the Gateway Town Center from the now-closed Publix store to a new Winn-Dixie.
Winn-Dixie, which is owned by Jacksonville-based Southeastern Grocers, is rolling out the events to help Brentwood-area residents while the 5210 Norwood Ave. property is renovated into the new supermarket.
Four market-style food pantry events will take place Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Jan. 11, 18, 25 and Feb. 1 to feed up to 300 families at each event on a first-come, first-served basis.
The food donations will equate to more than 6,000 meals for those in need, according to Southeastern Grocers.
Winn-Dixie is also holding onsite interviews to fill full- and part-time jobs Mondays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., inside the store. Applicants are encouraged to apply before attending at http://www.winn-dixie.com/careers and reference “108” in the keywords field.
Dignitaries get a tour of the new Winn-Dixie that will open Feb. 12. Pictured left to right: Winn-Dixie Regional Vice President Shawn Sloan, Southeastern Grocers Sr. Vice, Executive President of Store Growth Eddie Garcia, City Councilman Reggie Gaffney, Southeastern Grocers President & CEO Anthony Hucker, Councilman Sam Newby, Councilwoman Ju’Coby Pittman, Winn-Dixie Store #108 (Gateway) Store Manager Odarious Johnson, Winn-Dixie District Manager Zach Wesson. Photo Credit: Winn-Dixie
In a written statement, District 7 City Councilman Reggie Gaffney said, “I know my community and know there is a real need for someone to fill this void and prevent a food desert in this area. I am thankful to Southeastern Grocers and Winn-Dixie for stepping in to fill this critical need and provide relief to these people. I am also thankful to my colleagues and the administration for their support at the City in making this happen. I will continue to work so long as I am able on behalf of the people in District 7."
Publix closed its Brentwood-area store on the Northside late last month.
Winn-Dixie is taking over the space with the help of $850,000 in city incentives to renovate the 28,120-square-foot store. The new Winn-Dixie is expected to open to the public on Wednesday, February 12.
For Winn-Dixie, opening at the Gateway Town Center will be a homecoming.
The shopping center originally opened in 1959, according to ModernCities.com, with Winn-Dixie as one of Gateway's original tenants.
Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Councilman Sam Newby, who is among those pictured in the second photo in this story.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
