Food Lion Feeds, the hunger-relief platform of the North Carolina-based grocer, celebrated five honorees during The Feedys, an annual surprise awards series.
The awards honor associates, partners and hunger relief advocates working within Food Lion‘s 10-state operating area to alleviate hunger. Food Lion Feeds was founded in 2014 to address food insecurity in the towns and cities it serves. The organization fulfills its mission through product, financial and equipment donations; disaster relief and recovery efforts; capital campaigns support for feeding agencies; and associate volunteer hours.
“The best part of The Feedys is seeing the surprise on each honoree’s face and then hearing the stories behind their impact,” said Kevin Durkee, manager of Food Lion Feeds.
“Every award reminds us that hunger relief is deeply personal. It’s the volunteer giving their time, the store team customers can count on every day, the partner creating new ways to reach neighbors and the Food Lion associate leading with care,” he said. “We are grateful for the people and organizations who help bring Food Lion Feeds’ mission to life across our towns and cities.”
Through Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion has helped provide more than 1.5 billion meals to local families. It has committed to donate 3 billion meals by 2032.
2026 honorees
Store That Roars Award
The Food Lion on Midway Drive in Harrington, Delaware, received the Store That Roars Award for its strong culture of volunteerism and ongoing commitment to supporting hunger-relief efforts, the grocer said. The team regularly supports the Food Bank of Delaware through food sorting and distribution events that help provide fresh food to families. In 2025, the store team contributed more than 380 volunteer hours, averaging more than 30 hours each month. Food Lion Feeds also presented the Food Bank of Delaware pantry with a check representing 10,000 meals* on behalf of the store.
Meg Ham Caring for Our Communities Award
Eric Bell, store manager of the Food Lion on Crosstie Lane in Troutman, North Carolina, received the Meg Ham Caring for Our Communities Award for his commitment to supporting both his store and community. Named in honor of Meg Ham, former president of Food Lion who retired in 2025, the award recognizes a Food Lion associate who demonstrates outstanding care for their community through service, leadership and hunger-relief efforts. Since the store opened in January 2025, Bell has helped build a culture of care rooted in service, compassion and connection. He has contributed more than 320 hours to serving his community, often using his days off to support local events. Food Lion Feeds also presented Help Ministries of Troutman with a check representing 10,000 meals on behalf of the store.
Grand Lion for Good Vendor Award
Food Lion Feeds recognized Kellanova, now part of Mars Incorporated, with the Grand Lion for Good Vendor Award at Food Lion headquarters in Salisbury, North Carolina. Kellanova was honored for its continued partnership and commitment to helping address food insecurity, including its annual commitment to the Food Lion Feeds “Summers Without Hunger” campaign over the past three years. Food Lion Feeds also donated 10,000 meals to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina – Rowan Branch on behalf of Kellanova.
Food King Feeding Partner Award
Dos Santos Food Pantry & Thrift Store received the Food King Feeding Partner Award for its innovative, community-led approach to expanding food access across Virginia’s Eastern Shore. A partner food agency of Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, Dos Santos operates through a grassroots, all-volunteer model focused on reaching rural communities. Over the past year, the organization has served more than 43,000 people and distributed more than 225,000 pounds of food. Food Lion Feeds also presented Dos Santos with a check representing 10,000 meals.
Lion Heart Volunteer Award
Alyssa Griffin, pantry manager at Feed the Pack Food Pantry at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, received the Lion Heart Volunteer Award for her leadership in coordinating volunteers and supporting hunger-relief efforts. Griffin plays a key role in helping the pantry serve university students, supporting thousands of meals and tens of thousands of visits each year, Food Lion said. She also has built and mentors a strong leadership team that helps sustain pantry operations six days a week. In celebration of the honor, Food Lion Feeds presented the pantry with a check representing 10,000 meals.
Food Lion operates more than 1,100 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Founded and based in Salisbury since 1957, Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize. For more information, visit foodlion.com.