SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion Feeds, the hunger-relief platform of grocery retailer Food Lion, is enhancing 33 food pantries this September as part of its annual Great Pantry Makeover initiative. The program, timed with Hunger Action Month, equips community pantries with fresh resources, updated facilities, and stocked shelves to better serve families experiencing food insecurity.
Now in its 11th year, the initiative combines pantry renovations with hands-on support from Food Lion associates. This year, employees will contribute more than 1,500 volunteer hours painting, cleaning, and installing shelving, freezers, and coolers. The company will also provide more than 92,000 pounds of donated shelf-stable food to ensure the pantries are ready to meet local demand.
“At Food Lion Feeds, we’re committed to nourishing our neighbors and setting them up for success in life,” said Kevin Durkee, manager of Food Lion Feeds. “Through The Great Pantry Makeover, we’re not only providing resources to expand access to nutritious food but also creating meaningful opportunities for our associates to connect with their neighbors and make a lasting impact.”
Since launching in 2015, the Great Pantry Makeover has supported or renovated more than 350 food pantries across the grocer’s 10-state footprint. This year’s projects span the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast, with participating organizations ranging from the New Life Christian Center in Wilmington, Del., to the Shady Grove United Methodist Church in St. George, S.C.
Food Lion Feeds was founded in 2014 and has since provided more than 1.5 billion meals in partnership with Feeding America and local organizations. The company has pledged to donate 3 billion meals by 2032.
Part of Ahold Delhaize USA, Salisbury-based Food Lion operates more than 1,100 stores across 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and employs more than 82,000 associates. Hunger relief remains a cornerstone of its community engagement strategy, with the Great Pantry Makeover serving as a signature effort each September to highlight food insecurity and mobilize local action.
Regional Pantry Highlights
- Delaware: New Life Christian Center (Wilmington); Christian Storehouse (Millsboro).
- Virginia: St. Luke Church of God in Christ (Keysville); The Rescue Mission of Roanoke (Roanoke); Botetourt Food Pantry (Fincastle); Mercy Drops Dream Center (Portsmouth).
- North Carolina: Cornerstone Christian Center (Reidsville); Anderson Creek Community Church (Spring Lake); Plymouth Food Pantry (Plymouth).
- Tennessee & Kentucky: La Paz Chattanooga (Chattanooga, TN); Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church (Smithville, TN); Aaron McNeil House (Hopkinsville, KY).
- Georgia & South Carolina: Albany Rescue Mission (Albany, GA); Greer Relief & Resources Agency (Greer, SC); Helping Hand of Myrtle Beach (Myrtle Beach, SC).
