2024-the-great-pantry-makeover-media-alert-Food Lion Feeds Press Release
September 10, 2024
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACTS: Maureen Diffley, Major
The Salvation Army
204 W Walnut Johnson City, TN 37604
(423) 926-2101
Maureen.Diffley@uss.salvationarmy.org
Karen Todd
Community Relations Coordinator
(423) 269-0430 x 237
ktodd@netfoodbank.org
Food Lion Media Relations
704-245-3317
publicrelationsteam@foodlion.com
Food Lion Feeds Invests in Pantry Makeover for The Salvation Army in Johnson City
The Great Pantry Makeover addresses food insecurity and increases access to nutritious food
Hunger is a devastating issue that affects every community. Food banks across Tennessee are seeing a drastic increase in the need for food and resources from neighbors experiencing hunger. The Salvation Army of Johnson City, a partner feeding agency of the Second Harvest Food Bank, has experienced an elevated need for emergency resources since the beginning of this year.
Food Lion Feeds is responding to that need by awarding $6000 to help the food pantry improve operations and increase its capacity to nourish its food-insecure neighbors. Through its annual Food Lion Feeds event, The Great Pantry Makeover, the investment helps create sustainability in operations and allows the pantry to serve more people. Food Lion Feeds was founded in 2014 by Food Lion to address food insecurity in the towns and cities it serves.
On Thursday, September 12, Food Lion associates will support these local efforts by volunteering to complete pantry improvements. “We are proud to partner with the Salvation Army of Johnson City during Hunger Action Month to help raise awareness and to find innovative ways to address food insecurity while increasing access to nutritious food,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds. “The Great Pantry Makeover also provides our associates with a great opportunity to connect with their neighbors while nourishing the towns and cities we serve.” At the Salvation Army Food Pantry in Johnson City, local Food Lion associates will be assembling and installing new shelving. Food Lion is also donating 3,000 pounds of shelf stable-food, including canned protein, canned fruits, canned vegetables, breakfast items, pasta and rice, which the Food Lion volunteers will then stock on the newly installed shelves.
“We are grateful to Food Lion for their support to enhance our capacity to meet the nutritional needs of our neighbors! The makeover will improve our efficiency and delivery of assistance as we aim to meet human need without discrimination,” Major Maureen Diffley, Executive Director and Pastor of The Salvation Army in Johnson City noted.
The annual campaign takes place every September to align with Hunger Action Month, a time when Food Lion Feeds deepens its extensive existing partnership with Feeding America® to highlight the impact food can have on a person’s life and inspire action to end hunger within their communities. Since 2015, Food Lion Feeds has renovated or supported more than 320 food pantries through The Great Pantry Makeover.
When: Thursday, September 10, 2024 at 10 am
Where: The Salvation Army
204 W. Walnut Street, Johnson City, TN
About Food Pantry
The Salvation Army’s food pantry provides eligible clients with up to one substantial food box per 30 days. In addition to perishable goods, The Salvation Army is able to add frozen meats and other goods when made available by community partners. Clients are also referred to other supportive services, including our Pathway of Hope program that provides case management for families with minor children seeking to exit poverty.
About Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee feeds the hungry by securing donations of food from national and local manufacturers, grocers, and individuals, redistributing to qualified nonprofit charities and Food Bank programs that feed the hungry in an eight-county region of Northeast Tennessee composed of Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Washington, and Unicoi counties. The Food Bank is a 501 (c)3 nonprofit organization located in Kingsport, TN and is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest Food Bank network. For more information, visit: www.netfoodbank.org.
About Food LionFood 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. In 2014, Food Lion Feeds was created and has since donated more than 1.2 billion meals to those who are food insecure. The retailer has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025. 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.
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