Food Lion Feeds Commits $1 Million Over Four Years to Meals on Wheels America to Reach More Older Adults
Arlington, Virginia — Food Lion Feeds, the hunger-relief platform of grocery retailer Food Lion, is launching a new four-year, $1 million commitment to the nonprofit Meals on Wheels America, the organization announced on its website on October 15, as the two partners mark five years of working together. An initial investment of $250,000 will strengthen the long-term infrastructure capacity of local Meals on Wheels providers, helping them secure the vehicles, equipment and staffing needed to reach more older adults.
Since 2022, Food Lion Feeds has contributed more than $1,350,000 to 45 Meals on Wheels America member programs, supporting services to more than 23,900 older adults across Food Lion's 10-state footprint, according to the announcement. Local organizations supported this year include Senior Services, Inc. of Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Meals on Wheels of Middle Georgia in Macon, Georgia; and Senior Resources, Inc. of Columbia, South Carolina.
Part of this year's investment will support a World Food Day matching campaign on Friday, October 16: for every $1 donated to Meals on Wheels America that day, Food Lion Feeds will donate $2, up to a total matching contribution of $25,000, with donations accepted at MealsOnWheelsAmerica.org. Funds raised will support the organization's End the Wait initiative, which aims to ensure that every senior who needs Meals on Wheels receives it. Kevin Durkee, Manager of Food Lion Feeds, said in the announcement that a nourishing meal can help older adults stay healthy and independent in the communities they call home. Ellie Hollander, President and CEO of Meals on Wheels America, said the expanded investment gives local providers needed resources to serve more older adults today while building capacity to reach more seniors in the future.
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting approximately 5,000 community-based meal providers across the country, whose volunteer-powered network addresses senior hunger and isolation. Food Lion, headquartered in Salisbury, North Carolina, operates more than 1,100 stores with more than 82,000 associates across 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states; since 2014, Food Lion Feeds has donated more than 1.5 billion meals and has committed to donating 3 billion meals by 2032.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：食物银行志愿者分装食品箱（资料图），与送餐机构同属社区食物援助网络。图片来源：美国农业部（USDA）摄于首都地区食物银行，公共领域，经Wikimedia Commons发布 / Photo: A volunteer packs food boxes at a food bank (file photo). Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) photo, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
