SALISBURY, N.C. – September is Hunger Action Month, and Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion’s hunger-relief platform, is honoring it with three annual signature initiatives that bring associates, community partners and customers together across Food Lion’s 10-state operating area.
From local food pantries to college football fields to grocery aisles, The Great Pantry Makeover, Sack To Give Back and the Apple Bag Campaign turn the omnichannel grocery retailer’s dedication to nourishing neighbors into action.
“Caring for our communities is at the heart of what we do, and Hunger Action Month gives us an opportunity to see that care come to life,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion. “Together, these annual efforts help provide access to nourishing meals, support families facing food insecurity and reinforce that our neighbors can count on Food Lion!”
The Great Pantry Makeover
In September, Food Lion associates will roll up their sleeves to complete makeovers at 33 local food pantries. The projects range from painting and cleaning to installing shelves and signage.
Food Lion Feeds will invest $190,000 in renovations and will also donate more than 92,000 pounds of shelf-stable food to participating pantries, helping ensure they are ready to serve local families.
Since 2015, Food Lion Feeds’ The Great Pantry Makeover has supported more than 380 food pantries across the company’s footprint.
View the list of food pantry partners participating in Food Lion Feeds’ 2026 The Great Pantry Makeover, here.
Sack To Give Back
The commitment to reducing food insecurity extends to college campuses. During the 2026-27 college football season, Food Lion Feeds’ annual Sack To Give Back initiative will bring together 35 colleges and universities to help expand access to food across campus communities.
For every quarterback sack recorded by a participating team, Food Lion Feeds will help provide the equivalent of 1,000 meals*, up to 30,000 meals per school. The support will benefit campus food pantries or Feeding America food bank partners.
Since 2019, the Food Lion Feeds’ Sack to Give Back initiative has helped provide more than 4.6 million meals to nourish local campus communities and food bank partners.
View the 2026 Food Lion Feeds Sack To Give Back participating colleges, universities and hunger-relief partners, here.
Apple Bag Campaign
An easy purchase in the produce aisle can help fill tables and hearts with hope for local families. From Sept. 16-Oct. 6, customers can purchase specially marked Food Lion Feeds Gala apple bags at all Food Lion stores and online through Food Lion To Go.
Customers can also donate $1, $3 or round up their purchase at checkout or online through Food Lion To Go.
Proceeds from each bag sold and all customer donations support the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation**, which awards grants to local hunger-relief organizations to help provide food and resources that strengthen families and communities.
Since 2014, the annual Apple Bag Campaign has helped provide more than 55 million meals to local hunger-relief organizations.
Through Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion has helped provide more than 1.5 billion meals to individuals and families since 2014 and has committed to donate 3 billion meals by 2032. For more information on Food Lion Feeds’ commitment to ending hunger, visit foodlion.com/feeds.
*Food Lion Feeds helps address food insecurity through product, financial and equipment donations; disaster relief and recovery efforts; capital campaign support for feeding agencies; and associate volunteer hours. These investments are converted to the Feeding America® meal equivalent of $1, helping provide at least 10 meals on behalf of local food bank partners.
**Through the Food Lion Feeds Apple Bag campaign, 50 cents (the monetary equivalent of five meals) from each bag purchase will be donated to the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to award grants to local feeding partners. Food Lion Feeds guarantees a minimum donation of $200,000 (the equivalent of 2 million meals) from Sept. 16 – Oct. 6, 2026.
