Food Lion Feeds Hosts College Hunger Relief Rally: How Sack to Give Back is Partnering with 34 Colleges to Support Student Nutrition

SALISBURY — Food Lion Feeds is back with its annual Sack to Give Back program, aiming to combat food insecurity among college students. Now in its sixth year, this initiative supports local communities where Food Lion operates.

This year, 34 colleges and universities are joining the effort. Among them are Catawba College and Livingstone College, both working with their local food pantries to help students in need.

Recent data shows that nearly half of college students face food insecurity, according to a study by the Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University. This not only affects their health but can also hinder their academic success. Since 2019, Sack to Give Back has provided over 3.8 million meals to college and community pantries, making a real difference.

For every quarterback sack made by participating schools, Food Lion will donate the equivalent of 1,000 meals, up to 30,000 meals per school. These meals will help fill campus food pantries or go to Feeding America partners.

The program kicks off in September, coinciding with Hunger Action Month, a nationwide call to address food scarcity. Kevin Durkee, the manager of Food Lion Feeds, emphasizes that when students can’t access healthy food, their academic performance can suffer. He believes this program not only supports students but also engages football teams and fans in a meaningful way.

In addition to Catawba and Livingstone, other participating schools include Appalachian State University, Elon University, UNC Chapel Hill, and the University of Virginia.

The need for initiatives like Sack to Give Back is growing. A recent study revealed that food insecurity has increased significantly among students over the past decade, highlighting the urgency of tackling this issue. By raising awareness and providing tangible help, Food Lion Feeds and its partners are making strides to ensure students have the nourishment they need to thrive.

For more information, you can check out the [Hope Center for Student Basic Needs](https://www.hope4college.com) to learn more about food insecurity in higher education.

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