Food Lion Hosts First Annual The Feedys Awards

Food Lion held its first annual "The Feedys" awards at its corporate headquarters in Salisbury, N.C. The inaugural event honored those who share the company's commitment to ending hunger in the communities Food Lion serves and helped the company donate nearly 180 million meals of its 500 million meal commitment by 2020.

The Feedys honored the company's partnerships with its 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, four awards were distributed recognizing an individual hunger hero, a Food Lion store, an individual Food Lion associate and the company's food bank partner of the year for its passion and commitment to fighting hunger every day.

Finally, the company held a special tribute to its late co-founder, Ralph W. Ketner, who recently passed away at the age of 95 on May 29, by donating 95,000 meals to Rowan Helping Ministries in Salisbury, N.C. As Ketner was a catalyst in starting the agency, Food Lion president Meg Ham presented him with an honorary "Lion's Heart" award for all he did to fight hunger in Food Lion's hometown market.

"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," says Ham. "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 Feedys inaugural winners include:

Doug Mitchell of Bell Buckle, Tenn., The "Lion Heart" Award, which 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.

FeedMore of Richmond, Va., The "Food King" Award, which 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.

Kathy Whicker, Food Lion associate, Winston-Salem, N.C.,The "Lion's Pride" Award, which 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 2212 of Simpsonville, S.C., The "Store That Roars" Award, which 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.

Food Lion launched Food Lion Feeds, its hunger relief platform, in 2014 with a commitment to donate 500 million meals by 2020. To date, the company has contributed more than 180 million meals toward this goal.