Food Lion’s ‘Score to Give More’ Drives Millions of Meals, Addresses Campus Hunger

Salisbury, N.C. – In an era where corporate social responsibility (CSR) is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’ but a business imperative, Food Lion’s ‘Score to Give More’ program stands out as a compelling example of a retailer leveraging popular culture—college basketball—to address a critical societal issue: food insecurity. The program, a cornerstone of the broader Food Lion Feeds platform, isn't just about charitable giving; it’s about strategically weaving community impact into the fabric of everyday consumer engagement, particularly appealing to younger demographics who prioritize brands aligned with their values.

Food Lion Feeds: A Long-Standing Commitment to Combating Hunger

Food Lion Feeds, the philanthropic arm of the omnichannel grocery retailer, has a well-established track record in combating hunger across its 10-state operating area in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the U.S. The company recently announced a significant milestone, having provided 1.5 billion meals to individuals and families since 2014, achieving this goal 10 months ahead of its original 2025 target. Buoyed by this success, Food Lion Feeds has boldly committed to doubling its impact, aiming to donate a total of 3 billion meals by 2032.

These donations are generated through a multifaceted approach, including direct product, financial, and equipment contributions, disaster relief efforts, associate volunteer hours, in-store retail campaigns, and a pioneering food rescue program established in partnership with Feeding America in 2000. The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation further supports these efforts by providing grants to organizations dedicated to eliminating hunger.

The Silent Crisis: Rising College Food Insecurity

Food Lion's 'Score to Give More' program strategically targets college campuses, an environment where food insecurity is a prevalent yet often overlooked challenge. Recent data reveals a stark reality: 23% of undergraduates and 12% of graduate students nationwide experience food insecurity, impacting over 4 million students. This rate significantly surpasses the national average for U.S. households.

Studies by The Hope Center consistently highlight the severity of the issue, with some reports indicating that as many as 59% of students face basic needs insecurity, encompassing food, housing, or homelessness. This crisis disproportionately affects marginalized groups, including Black, Latine, Indigenous, first-generation, and parenting students, as well as those attending community colleges and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The consequences of food insecurity on students are profound, extending beyond basic nutritional needs. It’s linked to lower GPAs, decreased concentration, missed classes, delayed graduation, and higher dropout rates. Furthermore, students experiencing food insecurity are more susceptible to mental health challenges like anxiety and depression. As one campus administrator noted, “For many students, it’s a really difficult choice between buying textbooks and putting food on the table.”

Leveraging Sports for Social Good: The ‘Score to Give More’ Model

Food Lion's 'Score to Give More' program directly addresses this student-level food insecurity by partnering with college basketball teams. For every free throw made during the season, Food Lion Feeds donates 100 meals, up to a maximum of 30,000 meals per participating team. These donations are directed to the respective school's campus food pantry or an affiliated Feeding America partner food bank.

For the 2024-2025 season, the program engaged 51 collegiate basketball programs, including 15 women's teams, across eight states in Food Lion's operating footprint: Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. This initiative alone contributed over 1.6 million meals in the 2024-2025 season and more than 6.5 million meals since its inception in 2019.

Notable participants in the 2025-2026 season include Appalachian State University, Duke University, University of Maryland, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Virginia Tech, among many others. The program ensures local impact, with examples like Catawba College and Livingstone College in Salisbury, N.C., benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.

‘Sack to Give Back’: Expanding the Collegiate Impact

Food Lion Feeds extends its commitment to collegiate sports through its ‘Sack to Give Back’ program, which focuses on college football. Under this initiative, 1,000 meals (up to 30,000 per school) are donated for every quarterback sack made by participating teams. The 2024 collegiate football season saw 35 institutions participate, contributing an estimated 793,000 meals. Since 2019, ‘Sack to Give Back’ has provided over 3.8 million meals.

Collectively, these athletic-themed programs highlight Food Lion's innovative approach to community engagement, turning game-day excitement into tangible support for students and local communities facing hunger. Kevin Durkee, Manager for Food Lion Feeds, notes that these programs not only provide meals but also strengthen collegiate partnerships and raise crucial awareness about food insecurity among the student population.

A Trend in Corporate Social Responsibility

Food Lion's collegiate sports programs are part of a broader trend among major grocery retailers to integrate hunger relief into their corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies. Companies like Kroger, Albertsons, Walmart, Publix, Target, Giant Food, and Winn-Dixie have all established significant initiatives, often in partnership with Feeding America. These programs typically involve:

• Large-Scale Meal Commitments: Retailers are setting ambitious goals for meal donations, often reaching billions of meals. (e.g., Kroger’s 3 billion meals by 2025, Walmart’s 7 billion pounds of food since 2006)
• Food Rescue: A core element is rescuing unsaleable but wholesome food to reduce waste and provide meals.
• Customer Engagement: Many programs involve customers directly through in-store donation options, such as rounding up purchases or buying specific products.
• Targeted Support: Beyond general food donations, initiatives often focus on specific vulnerable populations, including children (e.g., school meal programs, backpack programs) and, increasingly, college students.
• Addressing Root Causes: Some programs extend to supporting mobile pantries, nutrition education, and initiatives to address food deserts.

“Consumers are increasingly demanding that brands demonstrate a commitment to social issues,” explains one retail analyst. “Companies that can authentically align themselves with causes like food insecurity are likely to build stronger relationships with their customers and enhance their brand reputation.”

Food Lion's 'Score to Give More' and 'Sack to Give Back' programs exemplify how brands can effectively tap into cultural moments and consumer passions to create meaningful social impact, resonating deeply with audiences who prioritize brands aligned with their values. By turning every free throw and every sack into a meal, Food Lion is not just selling groceries; it's actively shaping a culture of giving and redefining brand success through tangible social good.