Hy-Vee Inc. will donate $1 million and 1 million volunteer hours to organizations that support racial unity and equality throughout the eight-state region in which the grocer has stores. “There are times when actions speak volumes and when actions can help to create real, long-lasting change – and for us, this is one of those times,” Randy Edeker, Hy-Vee’s chairman, CEO and president, said in a news release. “Hy-Vee was founded on a guiding set of principles we call our 15 fundamentals. Four of those fundamentals – fairness, caring, respect and dignity – deeply pertain to the current situation our country is facing today. All those who call Hy-Vee home – whether it be an employee, customer or supplier – should and will feel welcomed, included and appreciated. Anything less is unacceptable.” Volunteer hours have already begun in the Minneapolis area as Hy-Vee employees have begun working with local organizations to provide meals, snacks and water to those most affected in neighborhoods throughout the city. Employees have also helped with neighborhood cleanup efforts. Hy-Vee’s donation will be funded through the company’s philanthropic One Step program, which has helped fund construction of  wells in poverty-stricken communities around the world; provided meals for hungry people in the U.S. and around the world; created community gardens to support education and food production; planted more than 420,000 trees across the Midwest; and donated $1 million to food banks to help meet the demand during the coronavirus pandemic.