Richmond, VA – Food Lion Feeds provided funding to three local Feed More partner agencies to help these organizations better serve their neighbors experiencing food insecurity.
CornerStone FOCCUSS (Kenbridge, VA), Crusade for Christ Ministries (Southside RVA) and HandUp Community Resource Center (Northside RVA), members of Feed More Agency Network, received the funds through Food Lion Feeds’ annual event, The Great Pantry Makeover. In addition to providing funds for the capital improvement projects at each location, local Food Lion associates donated volunteer hours as part of its largest associate volunteer initiative. Food Lion Feeds was founded in 2014 by Food Lion to address food insecurity in the towns and cities it serves.
“We’re beyond grateful for, and humbled by, Food Lion Feed’s continued support and dedication to our mission,” said David Waidelich, Chief Collaboration and Programs Officer at Feed More. “Our partner agencies are on the frontlines of fighting hunger and this support has helped these nonprofits and places of faith improve their operations, purchase much-needed equipment and increase their capacity to nourish their neighbors wrestling with food insecurity.”
The pantry makeover helps create sustainability in operations and allows the pantry to serve more people. From installing new signage and air conditioning units to painting and cleaning, the improvements have helped Feed More’s partners create a better experience for the neighbors they help. Additionally, each pantry received a nonperishable donation of around 3,000 pounds of shelf-stable food, including canned protein, canned fruits and vegetables, breakfast items, pasta and rice.
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 320 food pantries through The Great Pantry Makeover.
“We are proud to partner with CornerStone FOCCUSS, Crusade for Christ Ministries, and HandUp Community Resource Center during Hunger Action Month to help raise awareness and to find innovative ways to address food insecurity while increasing access to nutritious food,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion. “The Great Pantry Makeover also provides our associates with a great opportunity to connect with their neighbors while nourishing the towns and cities we serve.”
Now in its 10th year, 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 collects, prepares and distributes food to neighbors in need throughout Central Virginia. With a service area that stretches across 34 counties and cities, Feed More’s comprehensive programs and network of more than 380 distribution partners helps ensure our communities have access to healthy meals. Feed More is a proud member of Feeding America and Meals on Wheels America. For additional information, please visit FeedMore.org, find us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X.
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. In 2014, Food Lion Feeds was created and has since donated more than 1.2 billion meals to those who are food insecure. The retailer has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025. 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.
