Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion has begun its third annual “Summers Without Hunger” campaign to address the need by helping provide meals to fight child hunger this summer. Nearly 22 million children count on school-provided meals but less than 17 percent have access to summer meal programs.
Through June 28, people have the opportunity to make a difference by donating $5 at checkout or online through Food Lion To Go. All donations will benefit Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, and 33 local Feeding America member food banks across Food Lion’s 10-state operating area.
All customer donations will be matched by 10 Food Lion suppliers: Campbell’s, Coca Cola, Frito Lay, Gatorade, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Kraft Heinz, Mondelez, Pepsi Beverages and Unilever.
“No child should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from, and yet one in six children face hunger,” said Kevin Durkee, manager, Food Lion Feeds. “In partnership with our customers and suppliers, we’re hoping this is our most impactful ‘Summers Without Hunger’ campaign yet.
“We’re grateful for this year’s participating supplier partners and our customers for coming together to support this important cause. Our goal with this campaign is to help eliminate some of the difficult choices our neighbors are forced to make while school is out for the summer.”
In addition to customers, suppliers and Food Lion donations, employees will also volunteer throughout the month at many of the participating local Feeding America member food banks to help distribute food to neighbors in need.
“For kids who count on school meal programs during the school year, summer break could mean three months of worry and hunger,” said Lauren Biedron, VP of corporate partnerships at Feeding America. “Feeding America is grateful to Food Lion, suppliers, associates and customers for their continued commitment to provide meals to children and their families through ‘Summers Without Hunger.’”
This campaign is part of Food Lion Feeds’ overall commitment to help provide 1.5 billion meals to individuals and families in need by 2025. Since 2014, Food Lion Feeds, its hunger relief platform, has provided more than 900 million meals to neighbors in need.
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