Through its annual Food Lion Feeds Gala Apple Bag campaign, Food Lion joined forces with customers to provide more than 10 million meals to help address food insecurity.
The foundation will award grants to support local hunger-relief organizations to help ensure access to food, provide nutritional education and job skills training programs across the omnichannel retailer’s 10-state operating area.
“Food Lion is committed to nourishing our neighbors and caring for our communities,” said Kevin Durkee, manager for Food Lion Feeds.
“Since the Gala Apple Bag campaign was introduced in 2014, our customers have joined us to help provide the equivalent of more than 42 million meals to support our neighbors facing food insecurity. We stand by our community feeding agencies to ensure access to nutritious food and resources so people can get on their feet again. Campaigns like this demonstrate the power of people coming together to help those in need.”
Following the Gala Apple Bag initiative Oct. 2, Food Lion launched a campaign to raise money to assist communities impacted by Hurricane Helene. Through Oct. 30, Food Lion will match customer donations made at the register or online up to $1 million. The effort also will be directed to the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation, which will award grants to hunger-relief organizations for recovery and rebuilding efforts.
[RELATED: Grocers Send Relief To Communities Impacted By Recent Hurricanes]
The $1 million Hurricane Helene Relief campaign match is in addition to donations totaling $500,000 to emergency relief organization World Central Kitchen and feeding agencies that mobilized support for those affected by the disaster.
Established in 2001, the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to eliminating hunger. The foundation awards grants twice annually to benefit more than 500 local feeding partners, in addition to supporting capital campaign gifts to food bank partners. These hunger-relief organizations provide health education and job skills training, as well as help clients access food.
