Food Lion Awards $675K in Grants to 250 Nonprofit Agencies
James Mercer, founder and president, The Mercer Foundation in Nashville, N.C., receives a check from Food Lion Store Manager Mike Atkins located in Rocky Mount, N.C., for a Feeding the Hungry 2023 fall grant.
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $675,000 in grants to more than 250 nonprofit agencies and community feeding partners across Food Lion’s 10-state footprint. The grants support local organizations’ efforts to nourish neighbors experiencing hunger and provide nutritional education to their communities. As part of the total distribution, Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation awarded $165,000 to Feeding America to support child hunger programs. Organizations receiving grants can be found online. Since its inception in 2001, the Foundation has distributed more than $18.9 million across Food Lion’s 10-state operating area.
“Food Lion is committed to fostering a sense of unity and support for the towns and cities we serve,” said Adam Bass, vice president of pricing, Food Lion, and president, Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation. “Through the grants that the Foundation provides, we support our community feeding partners who help nourish our neighbors experiencing hunger. These grants increase access to nutritious food to ensure our neighbors and their families receive the nourishment they deserve. By investing in nutrition education programs, our partners deliver the knowledge and skills to prepare nutritious meals. This sets neighbors up for success in life as they learn about meal planning, budgeting, cooking techniques and the nutritional value of different foods.”
In addition to providing immediate solutions to make fresh and nutritious food more accessible, the grants support nutritional education programs. These programs play a crucial role in breaking the cycle of hunger by empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to make healthier food choices and improve their dietary habits.
Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization operated by a volunteer board of directors comprised of Food Lion associates from different areas of the company. The Foundation focuses on fighting child hunger and helping partner organizations increase their fresh capacity so families can put nutritious meals on their tables. It also provides nutrition education to support the health and wellness of Food Lion’s neighbors.
The foundation has also made significant contributions to Food Lion Feeds, which has provided more than 1.2 billion meals to individuals and families since 2014. This has been achieved through a combination of providing product, financial and equipment donations; disaster relief and recovery efforts; investing in capital campaign support for feeding agencies; and volunteer hours by associates. These investments are converted to a meal equivalent based on various meal equivalent formulas.
The foundation holds two grant cycles each year. The grant application deadline for the fall/winter cycle is Sept. 12, 2024, and can be found online. Grants will be awarded in early December. Nonprofit organizations are eligible for grants if affiliated with Feeding America or the United Way. Organizations are eligible to apply for grants every 12 months.
For more information on Food Lion Feeds’ commitment to fight hunger, visit foodlion.com/feeds.
Food Lion is an omnichannel retailer committed to nourishing its neighbors during the moments that matter most. More than 82,000 associates across 1,100+ stores deliver an easy, fresh and affordable shopping experience throughout 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Through its ‘Count on me’ culture, Food Lion fosters a sense of belonging for all associates, promoting a diverse and inclusive environment that has supported LGBTQ+ equality for nearly two decades.
Food Lion is the only company in the country to be named an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for 23 consecutive years. It also pioneered a food rescue program to support food-insecure neighbors. Through Food Lion Feeds, the retailer has donated more than 1.2 billion meals to individuals and families since 2014 and 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.
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the company, based in Salisbury, N.C. Established in 2001, the foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to eliminating hunger. The charitable foundation has provided more than $18.9 million in grant funding, helping to nourish communities with fresh food for backpack programs, Kids Café’s and other hunger-relief programs as well as funding for long-term programs to help shorten the lines at food banks. The charitable foundation partners with Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief agency, in addition to local food agencies serving the 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. For more information, visit foodlion.com/pages/food-lion-feeds.
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Reser’s Kicks Off Good Times Tour in Cincinnati
The Reser’s Good Times Tour is hitting the road and visiting nine festivals in 2024. Reser’s is inviting fans to come enjoy the good times at some of America’s favorite events!
Reser’s Fine Foods, Proud Sponsor of Good Times, is on a mission to spread joy and deliciousness to all. Whether it’s camping, tailgating, or enjoying a day at the park, Reser’s Deli Salads and Sides are the perfect addition while having a good time with friends and family.
“At Reser’s, we know that great food turns moments with friends and families into memories,” said Anne Nelson, senior brand strategy manager, deli. “We are excited to make every festival stop a memorable celebration.”
During each stop of the Good Times Tour, fans will be able to sample Reser’s mouth-watering Deviled Egg Potato Salad and Original Macaroni Salad, while enjoying amazing activities. Fans can make their own custom sunglasses at select festivals, take photos on the Reser’s pergola swing, cool down with a misting station, and challenge friends to a friendly game of ‘ring on a string’. Each event is guaranteed to put smiles on faces!
The ‘Good Times Tour’ will make stops at these festivals throughout 2024:
- Taste of Cincinnati (Cincinnati) – May 25-27
- Roots Picnic (Philadelphia) – June 1-2
- Giant National Capital Barbecue Battle (Washington, D.C.) – June 22-23 (sampling only)
- Columbus Jazz & Rib Fest (Columbus, Ohio) – July 19-21
- Minneapolis Aquatennial (Minneapolis) – July 24-27
- Chicago Air & Water Show (Chicago) – Aug.10-11
- Art, Beats and Eats (Detroit) – August 30-Sept.2
- The Big E (West Springfield, Mass.) – Sept. 13-15
- American Royal (Kansas City, Mo.) – Oct. 30-Nov. 2
The Reser’s Good Times Tour is part of a larger campaign that celebrates the fun of being together with family and friends. Visit Reser’s Good Times Central at www.resers.com/goodtimes to win awesome prizes in our Good Times Sweepstakes, track the Good Times Tour Schedule or find your favorites salads and sides to enjoy with friends and family.
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SEG Launches 7th Donation Program for Folds of Honor
Southeastern Grocers Inc., parent company and home of Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, has launched its seventh annual community donation program in support of Folds of Honor, a dedicated nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen and disabled military members.
Until June 18, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie customers can pay tribute to U.S. military heroes while shopping at their local stores by donating $1, $5 or rounding up their grocery bill to the nearest dollar at checkout.
In observance of Memorial Day, SEG, together with the grocer’s charitable arm, the SEG Gives Foundation, will match all customer donations made May 24-27. This matching program ensures every generous cent contributed will have double the impact, helping provide scholarships to the families who have sacrificed so much. For those unable to donate at the register – and even neighbors not shopping this weekend – consider donating a minute of time. Spend a moment to reflect and remember those who served to protect our freedom.
Anthony Hucker, president and CEO for Southeastern Grocers, said, “Our military communities embody incredible strength and resilience, and this cause is close to our hearts, especially here in the Southeast, where so many of our service members call home. Our annual community donation program is our way of standing with the families who have endured great sacrifice for our country, providing them with the support and recognition they deserve. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of these courageous families and honor the memory of their loved ones.”
Since the beginning of its partnership in 2018, SEG has donated more than $7.5 million for Folds of Honor with the help of its generous customers, associates and foundation. The funds have provided more than 1,500 educational scholarships for the children and spouses of fallen and disabled U.S. military service members.
Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, CEO and founder of Folds of Honor, said, “The folded flag is a constant reminder of those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. At Folds of Honor, our mission to equip and educate the ones they left behind wouldn’t be possible without patriotic companies like Southeastern Grocers. We’re thankful for the brave service members who answered the call to duty; and for our partners who continue to show up and embrace their call to give back.”
All funds raised during SEG’s community donation program go directly to Folds of Honor in support of its mission: honoring the sacrifice of U.S. military heroes by providing life-changing scholarships to their loved ones. Scholarships awarded through Folds of Honor provide private education tuition and tutoring for children in grades K-12, as well as tuition for college, technical or trade school and post-graduate work, including a master’s degree, doctorate or professional program. Folds of Honor has provided more than 52,000 educational scholarships for families of fallen and disabled military service members since 2007.
SEG’s community donation program benefiting Folds of Honor is part of the grocer’s ongoing commitment to honor and support the military community, especially during Military Appreciation Month. During the month of May, SEG associates will commemorate veterans by planting flags at Florida National Cemetery (Bushnell), Jacksonville National Cemetery, Sarasota National Cemetery and Louisiana Veterans Memorial Park (Baton Rouge). SEG is also honoring its own associates who have served by providing them with American flag pins, allowing others to easily recognize and thank them for their service.
For more information about how to contribute to SEG’s community donation program in support of Folds of Honor, please visit a local Harveys Supermarket or Winn-Dixie store.
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