News Logo

Food News

Feeding Lion To Feed CIAA Schools To Address Food Insecurity

Feeding Lion has partnered with CIAA Schools to address food insecurity among college students.

March 3, 2024

Salisbury- The report published in November 2023 by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation revealed that college students experience food insecurity at higher rates compared to the general population. Compared to 10% of the U.S. adults, nearly 33-51% of students are food insecure.

Food Lion Feeds is providing non-perishable food to eight historically black colleges and universities that are part of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) to address food insecurity in its 10-state operating area including college students.

The four schools in Northern Carolina include Fayetteville State University, Winston-Salem State University, Livingstone College (Salisbury), and Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte).

All these efforts will ensure that CIAA food pantries have a stock of shelf-stable food and ensure all college students have equitable access to nutritional food.

The initiative to stock college food pantries with shelf-stable items aims to enhance access to nutritious food for students, ensuring they have equal opportunities to succeed academically.
This effort is part of the activities surrounding the 2024 Food Lion CIAA Basketball Tournament, scheduled for Feb. 26-March 2 in Baltimore. Marking 30 years of collaboration with the CIAA, Food Lion continues to support student and athlete opportunities, emphasizing the importance of food security in academic success.

Manager of Food Lion Feeds Kevin Durkee said, “At Food Lion, we believe no one should have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries. That’s why we’re passionate about helping end hunger in our communities. We are humbled to support our CIAA schools by helping provide products for their student food pantries, increasing access to nutritious food, and setting students up for success.”

By Partnering with the CIAA, Food Lion reinforces its commitment and leadership in setting up students for success at HBCUs. Food Lion associates volunteers to stock the pantry shelves along with providing shelf-stable products such as breakfast bars, cereals, oatmeal, peanut butter, jelly, canned meats, canned fruits, and vegetables.

Food Lion has donated more than $7.5 Million in scholarships to CIAA schools since the partnership began 30 years ago. Besides this, Food Lion Feeds has been providing funding to campus food pantries with grants totaling more than $200,000 to help stock food pantries and nutrition lounges at schools and in communities.

Article Sources

Arrow Down Sign

The content provided in this article draws inspiration and includes quotes from various reputable sources, including news articles, government data, and interviews. Affordable Housing 411 strives to ensure accuracy and credibility, but the information presented may be based on some external sources. We encourage readers to refer to the referenced materials for more in-depth insights and verification.

Salisbury Post. “Food Lion Feeds nourishes bodies, minds at CIAA Schools: Partnership increases food access, addresses food insecurity”. Salisbury Post, March 3, 2024,
Food Lion Feeds nourishes bodies, minds at CIAA Schools: Partnership increases food access, addresses food insecurity – Salisbury Post | Salisbury Post

Last Updated: September 20, 2021