Food Lion’s Great Pantry Makeover initiative provides critical support to food pantries during Hunger Action Month

Rural Communities Get Much-Needed Support Through Annual Initiative

NORTH CAROLINA — Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion’s hunger-relief platform, is making a significant impact on food insecurity by supporting 33 food pantries within its operating footprint during September’s Hunger Action Month. The Great Pantry Makeover initiative, which has been running since 2015, focuses on providing essential infrastructure improvements to food pantries that serve some of the most vulnerable communities.

“At Food Lion Feeds, we’re committed to nourishing our neighbors and setting them up for success in life,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion. “Through The Great Pantry Makeover, we’re not only providing resources to expand access to nutritious food but also creating meaningful opportunities for our associates to connect with their neighbors and make a lasting impact.”

Strategic Partnership with Food Banks Drives Selection Process

The selection of pantries for makeovers is driven by Food Lion’s close partnership with Feeding America® and its network of regional food banks, including the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. These food bank partners serve as the experts in identifying which pantries need the most support, whether it be capacity improvements, shelving, or refrigeration needs. Food Lion Feeds was founded in 2014 by Food Lion to address food insecurity in the towns and cities it serves.

David Hardee, Regional Marketing & Community Relations Specialist, Mid-Atlantic Division, Food Lion, emphasized the importance of partnering with local food banks.
“They’re very in tune and very in sync with their partner agencies,” Hardee noted. “They understand where there might be gaps and so they’re the experts in identifying which pantries need support.”

The recent makeover at Original Tabernacle of Prayer in Goldsboro exemplifies the urgent need these improvements address. Matthew Vandiford, a Tarboro Food Lion store manager who participated in the makeover, stated that the pantry was serving 280 families, but had to turn away 20 to 30 families each distribution day due to lack of capacity.

Comprehensive Makeover Process Creates Lasting Impact

Each pantry makeover is a comprehensive five-hour process involving both Food Lion volunteers and existing pantry volunteers. The improvements typically include installing shelving racks, setting up refrigerators, relocating equipment for better efficiency, and extensive cleanup and organization.

“We spent five hours with them and set up a bunch of shelving racks, installed some refrigerators, did some relocation to try and smooth it out for them, and then just a bunch of cleanup after that,” Vandiford explained about the recent Goldsboro project. “We did a lot of cleaning and a lot of setting up in an effort to better their operation, so to speak, give them a little bit more capacity, a little more room to store things, to try and help out with efficiency.”

The makeovers provide lasting benefits that continue for years after completion. The enhanced capacity allows pantries to serve more families while maintaining fresh and perishable foods in proper storage conditions. Food Lion Feeds also stocks each pantry with shelf-stable items donated by the organization to ensure pantries are ready to serve neighbors in need.

Open Volunteer Opportunities Beyond Makeovers

Food Lion’s partnership with pantries extends far beyond the annual makeover events. According to Vandiford, food banks also identify pantries needing ongoing volunteer support “not just for the pantry makeover, but for weekly support with their distributions or even just cleaning up and organizing in the location.”

The volunteer process is designed to be accessible to everyone. Vandiford emphasized that pantries are always eager for additional help: “Anytime we can support, they’re always graciously ready for us to help do anything. Most of the time it’s with food distribution, handing out the things that they prepare.”

Contributing to Food Lion’s Ambitious 3 Billion Meal Goal

These pantry makeovers are part of Food Lion’s broader commitment to donate 3 billion meals by 2032. The company tracks volunteer hours and food donations through a conversion system where volunteer hours translate to meal equivalents, contributing to their overall goal.

Food Lion has already demonstrated significant progress in their fight against hunger. In April, the company celebrated achieving their previous goal of donating 1.5 billion meals ahead of schedule, prompting them to set the ambitious new target of 3 billion meals.

Addressing Growing Challenges in Food Insecurity

Food Lion Feeds recognizes that food insecurity challenges are evolving and growing more complex.

“Right now, the amount of cuts that food banks and others are seeing is a struggle,” Hardee observed. “As the cost of living hasn’t gone down, people’s wallets are stretched even farther and thinner than they have been going back a few years ago.”

In addition, through Food Lion’s Food Rescue program, unsaleable but edible and wholesome food is donated to local Feeding America® partner food banks and pantries. Instead of going to waste, this food nourishes neighbors in need.
This effort helps fight hunger and reduces food waste in landfills, helping lower greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to a healthier planet.

Year-Round Volunteer Commitment and Community Connection

Beyond the September makeover, Food Lion maintains a year-round commitment to supporting food pantries. Each of the company’s stores is challenged to complete volunteer hours annually focused specifically on combating food insecurity.

“We challenge every one of our stores to care for their neighbors in the towns and cities we serve,” said Hardee. “It’s part of who we are as an organization and we encourage associates to volunteer and help community partners serve our neighbors.”

Each Food Lion store also maintains a community board at its entrance, displaying information about their local food agency partner, ensuring customers know about available resources in their community.

Building Awareness and Breaking Down Barriers

One of Food Lion Feeds’ primary goals is increasing awareness about food insecurity, particularly among those who haven’t experienced it themselves. The organization recognizes that many people don’t understand how to access food pantry services or even know they exist.

“If you’re not impacted by food insecurity, you may not be aware how prevalent it is,” Hardee emphasized. “When we go out and do this work around combating food insecurity, it’s important to spread the word about how widespread it really is.”

Vision for the Future: Ending Hunger in Local Communities

While Food Lion Feeds is focused on their current 3 billion meal goal, their ultimate vision is more ambitious. “Our vision is that no one should have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries,” Hardee stated. “Our vision, while it’s lofty, is to end hunger in our towns and cities.”

The September Great Pantry Makeover initiative represents just one component of this comprehensive approach to addressing food insecurity. With 33 pantries receiving makeovers this month alone and ongoing year-round support, Food Lion Feeds is making a measurable difference in communities across their service area.

For community members interested in volunteering at local food pantries, Food Lion representatives recommend reaching out directly to pantries in your area, as most operate with small volunteer teams and welcome additional support for their weekly distributions and operations. Community members can also offer support year-round through fundraising campaigns at their local Food Lion, both in-store and online.