SALISBURY, N.C. – The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $2.6 million in grants to 120 organizations as part of its Summers Without Hunger campaign. The grants support community feeding partners working to prevent childhood hunger, address food insecurity and promote healthier lifestyles through nutrition education initiatives.
Food Lion customers and participating vendors supported the annual Summers Without Hunger campaign, which provided more than 28 million meals* to children and families in need. From June 18 to July 15, customers purchased specially designed reusable bags for $2 or use a digital keypad to make cash donations at checkout, with proceeds funding grants to local feeding agencies.
Childhood hunger often spikes in the summer when school-based meal programs end, leaving millions of children across the U.S. without consistent access to nutritious food. This lack of access can have lasting physical, mental and educational consequences.
To help bridge that gap, the grants will help ensure children facing food insecurity continue to have access to nourishing meals beyond the school year. Funding will support programs that provide meals during weekends, after school hours and throughout the year, helping kids receive nutritious and balanced meals. Since its inception in 2001, the Foundation has distributed nearly $23 million across Food Lion’s 10-state operating area.
“Nourishing the towns and cities we serve is at the heart of everything we do at Food Lion,” said Natasha Brinegar, President, Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation and Vice President of Category Management, Meat and Seafood, Food Lion. “These grants help our partners provide nourishment for hungry children, especially during the summer months when access to school meals is limited. By investing in local food banks and community organizations, we are not only helping to meet immediate needs but also supporting long-term solutions to combat hunger and make a lasting difference in our neighbors’ lives.”
Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization operated by a volunteer board of directors comprised of Food Lion associates from different areas of the company. The Foundation focuses on addressing the root causes of hunger in communities. Additionally, the Foundation helps feeding organizations increase their ability to provide fresh produce and other food staples through grants which build their facilities’ capacity ensuring families can put nutritious meals on their tables. Partner organizations also provide nutrition education to support the health and wellness of Food Lion’s neighbors.
Through grants provided by the Foundation, partnerships with local and national feeding partners and donations made by Food Lion customers, Food Lion Feeds has provided the equivalent of more than 1.5 billion meals to individuals and families since 2014. Food Lion Feeds efforts are multi-faceted providing product, financial and equipment donations; disaster relief grants; capital campaign support for feeding agencies; as well as donating volunteer hours by associates. Early this year, Food Lion Feeds set a goal to double its impact to date, committing to provide a total of 3 billion meals* by 2032.
For more information on Food Lion Feeds’ commitment to fighting hunger, visit foodlion.com/feeds.
