The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation has awarded nearly $1 million in “Nourishing our Neighbors” grants to more than 280 nonprofits during its 2026 spring/summer grant cycle. The grants support community feeding partners across Food Lion’s 10‑state operating area.
Since its inception in 2001, the foundation has awarded more than $25 million in grants to nonprofit feeding partners.
“Our local feeding partners are working day in and day out in our towns and cities,” said Natasha Brinegar, president of the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation and VP of category management, meat and seafood at Food Lion. “Through the foundation, we are proud to support their efforts by helping families access fresh food, feel cared for and experience the dignity every neighbor deserves.”
Grant recipients include:
- Georgia Mountain Food Bank in Gainesville, Georgia, supporting childhood hunger programs through mobile pantries and child‑focused food distributions;
- Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry in Hickory, North Carolina, strengthening nutritional education sessions, cooking classes and food access; and
- Mendota Food Pantry in Mendota, Virginia, stocking pantry shelves and providing meals families can prepare at home.
The foundation holds three grant cycles each year. The next cycle, Summers Without Hunger, runs through July 8. Nonprofits affiliated with Feeding America that support efforts to end childhood food insecurity are eligible. Grant recipients may apply once every 12 months.
For independent grocers, Food Lion’s grant program offers a model for structured hunger relief that does not require a large budget. Even a small independent can designate a portion of annual profits – perhaps 1 percent – to a local food bank or pantry. The key is consistency: regular donations (monthly or quarterly) build trust with community partners. Independents can also host in‑store food drives or round‑up campaigns, similar to larger chains, but on a smaller scale.
The most effective approach is to partner with a single local food bank or pantry and commit to a recurring donation, then promote that partnership through in‑store signage and social media. Customers notice when a grocer supports their community, and that loyalty can help independents compete against larger chains.
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