Food Lion Honors Local Food Banks and Associates Committed to Hunger Relief

Food Lion held its second annual "Feedy's" awards at its corporate headquarters in Salisbury, N.C. The annual event honored food banks, community partners and Food Lion associates who share the company's commitment to ending hunger in the communities Food Lion serves and helped the company donate more than 290 million meals of its 500 million meal commitment by 2020.

The Feedy's honored the company's partnerships with 30 local food banks through years of service awards and presented Kids Café grants to 14 food banks through the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation, totaling $143,000.

Additionally, six awards were distributed recognizing an individual hunger hero, a Food Lion store, two Food Lion associates, one corporation and a food bank partner of the year for their passion and commitment to fighting hunger every day.

Throughout the year, Food Lion Feeds partners with its customers to end hunger through its "Summers Without Hunger," "Holidays Without Hunger" and Food Lion Feeds Apple Bag campaigns. When customers purchase these specially marked items, Food Lion Feeds donates six meals to a local feeding agency. This year, Food Lion presented five honorary in-store campaign awards to its stores who donated the most meals through these hunger-relief campaigns.

"At Food Lion, we believe no one should have to choose between dinner and rent, or gas and groceries, and we know today one in six Americans are struggling with that choice every day," said Meg Ham, president of Food Lion. "Our passion is helping to nourish and feed families through healthy, fresh, low-price groceries in the towns and cities we serve and shorten the lines at local food banks. Through this annual event, we will celebrate the local hunger heroes in our communities and honor those who are working to make sure no one goes hungry."

The Feedy's winners include:

MacKenzie Hinson from Goldsboro, N.C. – The "Lion Heart" Award

The "Lion Heart" award recognizes an individual that demonstrates outstanding skills in coordinating and motivating groups of donors and volunteers for Food Lion Feeds' hunger-relief projects to benefit partner food banks.

Lowcountry Food Bank from Charleston, S.C. – The "Food King" Award

The "Food King" award honors a food bank that demonstrates an outstanding commitment to ending hunger through financial support, innovation, encouragement and by motivating others to take leadership roles in hunger-relief programs and community involvement.

Randy Havinga, Food Lion store associate, Huntersville, N.C. – The "Lion's Pride" Award (Retail)

Margaret Ellis, Food Lion corporate associate, Salisbury, N.C. – The "Lion's Pride" Award (Corporate)

The "Lion's Pride" award recognizes a Food Lion associate that demonstrates outstanding skills in coordinating and motivating associates and volunteers for hunger-relief projects for the benefit of Food Lion Feeds and its partner food banks.

Store 1041 from Wilmington, N.C. – The "Store That Roars" Award

The "Store That Roars" award honors a store that demonstrates outstanding skills in coordinating and motivating store associates, customers and volunteers for hunger-relief projects to benefit Food Lion Feeds and its partner food banks.