Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation Grant

The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation Grant is a philanthropic initiative aimed at combating hunger and promoting access to nutritious food within the communities served by Food Lion grocery stores. Established in 2001, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is managed by a volunteer board composed of Food Lion leadership and community relations professionals. Since its inception, the foundation has provided over $17.5 million in grants to local organizations across ten southeastern and mid-Atlantic U.S. states, reflecting its long-standing commitment to addressing food insecurity. The foundation focuses its support on hunger relief efforts, targeting children at risk of hunger and expanding access to fresh, healthy food through local agencies. Grants may be used exclusively for the purchase of food as part of an organization’s hunger-relief initiatives. In addition to providing food, the foundation funds initiatives related to meal planning, nutrition education, and budgeting, which aim to break the cycle of hunger by empowering communities with the tools needed to make sustainable dietary changes. The grant program operates on a bi-annual cycle with three primary application windows. The Spring/Summer grant cycle is open from January 12 to March 12, 2026, with awards distributed in early June. The Summers Without Hunger application window runs from June 1 to July 8, 2026, coinciding with an in-store campaign from June 17 to July 14. The Fall/Winter cycle accepts applications from July 13 to September 17, with funding decisions made in early December. Eligible organizations may apply only once every 12 months, encouraging a broad distribution of funding across multiple entities. Eligibility for the grant is limited to nonprofits and certain government-affiliated entities located within a 20-mile radius of a Food Lion store in Delaware, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, or West Virginia. Required documentation for submission includes a completed online application, the organization’s 501(c)(3) IRS determination letter, a signed and dated 2025 W-9 form, a current board of directors list (or government affiliation letter if applicable), and a letter of support from a local Feeding America network food bank partner. Applications must be submitted through the foundation’s online portal. While there is no mention of a pre-application process, all components must be included to be considered. The foundation does not detail specific evaluation criteria but emphasizes alignment with its mission to increase food access and address childhood hunger. Questions and further inquiries can be directed to flcf@foodlion.com. The foundation encourages organizations to ensure eligibility and completeness of documentation before applying, given the strict submission intervals and document requirements. This grant is recurring and issued on a biannual basis, providing stable and predictable opportunities for community-based hunger relief organizations to seek financial support. With structured timelines and a focus on immediate and impactful food access solutions, the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation continues to play a vital role in enhancing food security and nutrition education in the communities it serves.