A $2,200 grant from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation will help Laurel Ridge Community College feed hungry students and their families. The Nourishing our Neighbors grant supports community feeding partners by helping neighbors increase their access to nutritious food and providing nutrition education to eliminate health risks for those experiencing food insecurity.
When surveyed, a large percentage of Laurel Ridge students have said they can’t afford balanced meals, with some skipping meals and running out of food with no money to buy more. Food insecurity has been found to be an issue among community college students nationwide.
“By distributing food to students, Laurel Ridge can help alleviate hunger for individuals and their families to alleviate stress that could negatively impact their education,” said Dr. Melissa DeDomenico-Payne, grants manager at the college.
There are food pantries at each Laurel Ridge site, as well as grab-and-go snack items placed around campus buildings.
“In addition to providing food and hygiene items for students, these pantries often serve as entry-points for Laurel Ridge staff to discover other issues that may be impacting students, such as financial emergencies, mental health and more,” said Dr. DeDomenico-Payne.
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting families facing food insecurity across its 10-state footprint. Established in 2001, the Foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to feeding local neighbors in the communities it serves. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $25 million in grant funding to help nourish communities with fresh food.
About The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C. Established in 2001, the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to eliminating hunger. The charitable foundation has provided more than $25 million in grant funding, helping to nourish communities with fresh food for backpack programs, Kids Cafés 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 in which Food Lion operates. For more information, visit foodlion.com/pages/food-lion-feeds.
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.