Publix has donated 3,960 gallons of Publix milk to Birmingham’s Central Alabama Food Bank as part of a program the grocer is undertaking to alleviate hunger during the coronavirus pandemic.

The company announced yesterday it is donating more than 150,000 pounds of produce and 43,500 gallons of milk to food banks. The program is expected to run for several weeks and seeks to buy fresh produce and milk to assist southeastern farmers, as well as families impacted financially by the pandemic.

“We appreciate the support from Publix for this donation of milk," Elizabeth Wix, acting executive director of the Central Alabama Food Bank, said. "It will assist us in supporting families who visit our mobile pantries. We have gone from four to 16 sites per month since the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

Farmers have been impacted by the pandemic in diminished sales to restaurants and schools due to sheltering and stay-at-home orders, while more than 26 million Americans have filed for unemployment since mid-March.

According to Feeding America, an estimated 17.1 million additional people will experience food insecurity due to school closures and rising unemployment during the pandemic.

"As a food retailer, we have the unique opportunity to bridge the gap between the needs of families and farmers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic,” Publix CEO Todd Jones said in a statement. “In this time of uncertainty, we are grateful to be able to help Florida’s produce farmers, southeastern dairies and families in our communities.”