Associates and managers from Cullman’s Publix spent Tuesday giving back to the community as part of the annual “Publix Serves Day,” and worked on two projects to benefit residents of Cullman County.

Employees spent the afternoon at the Margaret Jean Jones Center working the grill to cook hamburgers and hot dogs at the Cullman County Center for the Developmentally Disabled, and then came to the United Way of Cullman County’s office to install a Little Free Library to provide more opportunities for reading.

Publix Store Manager and United Way Board member Brad Boshell said he built the library at Publix’s annual conference earlier this year, and the Cullman store was one of three that installed a library in Alabama. Altogether, more than 300 of the libraries were installed around the country Tuesday.

Some children and adults in the community may not have the opportunity to read books or can’t afford to buy them, so this may give them that chance, he said.

“I’m just glad to be a part of the community,” he said. “That’s part of the mission statement at Publix is to be involved as responsible citizens in our communities.”

United Way of Cullman County Executive Director Becky Goff said the library — located at the United Way office at 304 1st Ave NE — is open for anyone who wants to take a book themselves and leave a book for the rest of the community to read. She said books for people of all ages are welcome.

“We’re so excited,” she said.

Boshell said he was also glad store associates got the chance to serve lunch for the participants and staff of the CCCDD, located at the Margaret Jean Jones Center. He said employees enjoy working in the community throughout the year to give back to the people who support the store.

“It was a great, moving experience down there,” he said. “The community gives a lot to us, so we try to give back when we can.”

Goff thanked all of the employees at Publix for their work Tuesday afternoon, and said Boshell leads by example with his work at Publix and on the United Way board.

“He has a heart for our community and for the people that we serve and help, and he is one to roll up his sleeves and give back at all times, no matter what the ask is,” she said. “He is one of those that we can always count on to help when help is needed.”