Richmond, Va – Feed More distribution partners Engage Food Pantry and St. Luke Church of God in Christ food pantry have been awarded generous grant funding from Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion’s hunger relief platform, to strengthen operations and expand their ability to serve neighbors experiencing food insecurity through the Food Lion Feeds Great Pantry Makeover.
As Feed More partner agencies, the pantries received this funding through Food Lion Feeds’ annual Great Pantry Makeover. In addition to this capital investment, local Food Lion associates will contribute volunteer hours at the two sites during the company’s largest associate volunteer initiative. Since its founding in 2014, Food Lion Feeds has worked to fight food insecurity across the towns and cities it serves.
The pantry makeover helps create sustainability in operations and will allow Engage Food Pantry and St. Luke Church of God in Christ food pantry to provide healthy food for wholesome meals for the neighbors they serve in an even better way. Additionally, the pantries will receive a nonperishable donation of 3,000 pounds of shelf-stable food.
The annual campaign takes place every September to align with Hunger Action Month, a time when Food Lion Feeds deepens its extensive existing partnership with Feeding America® to highlight the impact food can have on a person’s life and inspire action to end hunger within their communities. Since 2015, Food Lion Feeds has renovated or supported more than 350 food pantries through The Great Pantry Makeover.
“Partnering with Feed More during Hunger Action Month is an important way for us to shine a light on hunger in our communities and expand access to fresh, nutritious food,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion. “Through The Great Pantry Makeover, our associates not only help strengthen pantry operations but also build meaningful connections with neighbors as we work together to nourish the towns and cities we serve.”
Food Lion associates support these local efforts by volunteering to complete pantry improvements. During this 30-day effort, Food Lion associates will volunteer for activities such as painting and cleaning pantries and installing shelving, freezers, coolers and other equipment to expand the capacity for fresh fruits, vegetables and other products. In addition to performing the work, associates will work with the food pantry staff and volunteers to stock the pantry shelves with food.
About Feed More
Feed More nourishes communities and empowers the lives of children, families, individuals and seniors across Central Virginia. Operating one of the most sophisticated hunger-relief systems in the country, Feed More distributes more than 39 million pounds of food annually through a network of over 380 partner agencies. With a 57-year legacy of trust, stewardship and innovation, Feed More is committed to helping neighbors across the 29 counties and 5 cities it serves.
About Food Lion
Food Lion is an omnichannel grocery retailer committed to nourishing its neighbors. More than 82,000 associates across 1,100+ stores deliver an easy, fresh and affordable shopping experience throughout 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. With a focus on hunger relief, Food Lion is a pioneer in food rescue. Since 2014, the company’s hunger relief platform Food Lion Feeds has donated more than 1.5 billion meals to those who are food insecure. The retailer has committed to donate 3 billion meals by 2032. Founded and based in Salisbury, N.C., 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.
