Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina Expands Hunger-Relief Efforts, Receives $1 Million Food Lion Feeds Donation

Food Lion Feeds Hunger Solution Center in Durham, N.C., doubles the Food Bank’s regional distribution capacity

DURHAM, N.C. — Elected officials, community leaders and hunger-relief advocates gathered (July 28, 2026) for the grand opening of the Food Lion Feeds Hunger Solution Center, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina's new 64,000-square-foot facility in Durham, N.C. The center serves as a vital hub for food sourcing and distribution, volunteer engagement and advocacy for long-term change.

According to Feeding America's annual Map the Meal Gap analysis, food insecurity in North Carolina has reached its highest level in nearly 20 years. In response to the growing need, Food Lion Feeds invested $1 million to help establish the new center and strengthen the Food Bank's broader regional response. The grand opening marks a key milestone for local hunger-relief efforts and highlights Food Lion's continued commitment to nourishing neighbors throughout the Triangle and beyond.

"We are truly grateful to our longtime partners at Food Lion for providing critical resources for the new Hunger Solution Center in Durham," said Amy Beros, President and CEO, Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. "Their generous support has helped double our capacity to deliver fresh, Carolina-grown food to neighbors throughout the region while advancing our shared work to create solutions that will end hunger for good."

The Food Lion Feeds Hunger Solution Center was designed with community at the center and includes dedicated space for partners and allies to host meetings, advocacy training, volunteer food sorting and repacking efforts. It also offers three times the warehouse space and significantly more temperature-controlled storage for perishable food, expanding the Food Bank's ability to distribute fresh, nutritious and locally sourced food to neighbors throughout the Triangle.

Established in 2014, Food Lion Feeds is Food Lion's hunger-relief platform dedicated to ending hunger across its 10-state operating area.

"At Food Lion, we believe no one should have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries," said David Garris, Vice President, Mid-Atlantic Division, Food Lion, and Chair of the Food Bank's Board of Directors. "Nourishing our neighbors and helping set them up for success in life is at the heart of everything we do. Through this investment, we are proud to deepen our longstanding partnership with the Food Bank and help more fresh, nutritious food reach families throughout Durham County and surrounding communities."

Food Lion Feeds is among the Food Bank's longest-standing partners, supporting its work through food and financial donations and associate volunteerism for more than three decades. Through Food Lion Feed's pioneering food rescue program, each of the retailer's more than 1,100 stores donates unsold, edible food that might otherwise go to waste to a local feeding agency, including meat, produce, dairy and bakery items.

Gang Free Inc., a Food Bank partner agency in Henderson, N.C., is among the local organizations participating in the food rescue program. The organization distributed more than 218,000 meals* during the past year with significant support from Food Lion Feeds.

"Food insecurity is about more than an empty plate – it is about health, dignity, opportunity, and hope. Every family deserves consistent access to nutritious food, regardless of their zip code," said Melissa Elliott, Henderson Mayor and Executive Director of Gang Free, Inc.  "Through our partnership with the Food Bank and Food Lion Feeds, we are not simply distributing food; we're building healthier communities, strengthening families, and creating pathways to long-term stability." pathways to long-term stability."

*Food Lion Feeds helps address food insecurity through product, financial and equipment donations; disaster relief and recovery efforts; capital campaign support for feeding agencies; and associate volunteer hours. These investments are converted to the Feeding America® meal equivalent of $1, helping provide at least 10 meals on behalf of local food bank partners.

About the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (Food Bank CENC)
Among the largest anti-hunger organizations in the United States, the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina works every day to provide food to people in need while advancing long-term solutions to end hunger in our communities. The Food Bank and our Branch locations serve as the central hub of a network of 700+ partner programs throughout our 34-county region — including no-cost food markets, pantries, meal sites, and a host of initiatives serving children, adults, and seniors. Together, we're working to overcome hunger and create an environment where everyone in North Carolina can thrive. Stay connected at foodbankcenc.org  and @FoodBankCENC on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. 

About Food Lion
Food 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. Since 2014, the company's hunger relief platform Food Lion Feeds has donated more than 1.5 billion meals to those who are food insecure. The retailer has committed to donate 3 billion meals by 2032. 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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