Food Lion Packs 8,000 Boxes for Local Families in Need
On February 19, 2026, Food Lion joined hands with Second Harvest of Metrolina in Salisbury, North Carolina, to pack food boxes for local families. This effort is part of a series of events aimed at supporting the School-Based Mobile Pantry program, which delivers nutritious food to families in need.
Kay Carter from Second Harvest explained that the food boxes are well-balanced, containing proteins, veggies, fruits, and grains, with about 16 items in each. To keep the program running, the organization needs between 50,000 and 60,000 of these boxes annually. Big packing events like this are crucial for meeting that demand.
At this event, over 150 enthusiastic Food Lion employees packed 8,000 boxes, each weighing between 40 to 50 pounds. They turned the packaging into a friendly competition, seeing who could pack the fastest. “We enjoy helping the community, and a little competition makes it fun,” said Lisa Owens, Food Lion’s director of operations in Salisbury.
Since launching the Food Lion Feeds program in 2014, the grocery chain has donated over 1.8 billion meals. Now, they aim to reach three billion meals by 2032. “We care about the communities we serve, whether through big events like this or smaller initiatives across our 10 states,” Owens added.
Carter praised Food Lion as the largest food donor to Second Harvest of Metrolina. “If every company was like Food Lion, we’d have far fewer hungry people,” she remarked. Their support not only includes food but essential volunteer hours, which allow the pantry to maximize its resources. Last year, 336,000 hours of volunteer time equated to the work of an additional 180 staff members.
The Food Lion team was efficient, finishing early by 10 a.m. and ready for upcoming similar events. These efforts highlight the vital role businesses can play in their communities, bringing food and hope to those who need it most. According to recent studies, community engagement like this can improve not just food security but also the overall health and well-being of entire neighborhoods.
As this initiative continues, it serves as a reminder of the power of local partnerships in fighting hunger and making a positive impact.
For more on community support initiatives, you can check out reports from the [Feeding America network](https://www.feedingamerica.org/). They provide insights on how local partnerships make a difference in food security across the nation.
