As the number of unemployed workers across the state increases daily and schools are closed due to COVID-19, grocery stores, restaurants, local businesses and foundations are making much needed donations to our area Food Banks.
Following are some of the impressive monetary donations being given to local and national food banks to help our neighbors in need during this difficult time.
Many of our local grocery stores also continue to make food donations to the area food banks in addition to the special donations announced below.
Walmart announces a $25 million commitment
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced a $25 million commitment on March 17 to support organizations on the frontlines responding to COVID-19. This donation will support food banks, schools, and senior meal programs offering access to food for underserved populations.
In addition, Walmart is assisting with the global response by donating to the "COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, a program set up by the United Nations Foundation to support the World Health Organization (WHO) in the global effort to help countries prevent, detect and respond to the novel coronavirus," according to their website. This donation helps to send essential supplies such as personal protective equipment to frontline health workers and more. See all the details
on the Walmart website.The Target Foundation giving away $10 million
Target is making their largest ever donation to a single relief effort which will support efforts in four areas, according to their website:
Team Members – $1 million will go to our Target Team Member Giving Fund to assist team members who are most impacted.
Local Communities – $5 million will be committed to state and local community foundations supporting nonprofit organizations addressing the greatest needs in their area, including vulnerable populations such as underrepresented communities.
National Organizations – $3 million will support national nonprofits such as Feeding America and others, assisting with response and recovery for affected communities.
Global Response – $1 million will support organizations such as UNICEF and others, helping provide critical medical equipment and supplies to regions around the world.
Publix Super Markets Charities donates $1 million
On March 24,
Publix announced that they are donating $1 million to Feeding America member food banks across the Southeast. This donation is part of Publix Super Markets Charities’ ongoing support of hunger relief efforts and to help communities throughout their seven-state operating area during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I want to thank Publix Super Markets Charities for this generous donation,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones. “During these unprecedented times that have affected nearly every aspect of our day-to-day lives, many people may not know where their next meal is coming from. This donation will provide assistance to those impacted and help continue the work that Publix, Publix Charities and Feeding America do every day to alleviate hunger in the communities we serve.”
Feeding America Vice President of Corporate Partnerships Lauren Biedron shared, “Feeding America is thankful to Publix Super Markets Charities for its generous support of member food banks across the Southeast during this time of increased need. This generous donation will help food banks provide food and other essential supplies to people hardest hit by this pandemic.”
Aldi donating $1 million to community organizations
Aldi has announced that they are donating $1 million to community organizations to support those in need.
Food Lion Feeds donating $600,000 to help neighbors in need
Food Lion Feeds is donating $600,000 to help fight hunger amid increased demand due to the CORVID-19 crisis. This donation includes $120,000 to Raleigh-Area Feeding America® Affiliated Food Banks.
"Nourishing our neighbors is core to everything we do, and we know that many of our neighbors have been tremendously impacted by the recent school and business closures as a result of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Meg Ham, Food Lion President. “Hunger is a lot closer than you think, and that’s why we’ve always been committed to fighting food insecurity in the towns and cities we serve. That need is heightened right now, and we want our neighbors to know they can count on us during this unprecedented time. We’ll continue to stay closely connected to our community partners and ensure we do everything we can to help provide stability in the weeks and months ahead.”
These donations are part of $600,000 in pledged donations the retailer has made to help its neighbors in need as a response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. More details can be found
on the Food Lion website. The Fresh Market
The Fresh Market, which is a national mission partner of Feeding America®, is trying to raise $250,000 by the end of April through a fundraising drive in all 159 store locations. The company will match these donations up to $250,000 to reach a 5 million meal goal. You can donate to Feeding America in increments of $1.00, $5.00 or any other amount at checkout, starting Friday, March 27 through the end of April. You can also donate online at
www.feedingamerica.org/thefreshmarket-covid.According to the company statement, "Every dollar raised helps provide at least 10 meals, and 90% of the funds raised stay in The Fresh Market’s local communities. Additionally, all of The Fresh Market’s 159 stores make food donations multiple times per week to Feeding America’s partner food banks and its agencies to fight hunger in their communities."
Additional Food Bank Donations from Area Businesses and Foundations
Coastal Credit Union
The Coastal Credit Union Foundation is donating $500,000 to several area nonprofit organizations to provide community assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The donations will be given to multiple local food banks, the NC Restaurant Relief Fund (which helps local restaurant employees who lost wages during business closures), Triangle Family Services and more.
“It was important to us that we make these funds unrestricted,” said Chuck Purvis, Coastal’s president & CEO. “The situation is fluid, and the community needs are changing rapidly. The response needs to be just as nimble, and we have complete confidence in our nonprofit partners to decide how to use the money the best way possible.”
The Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation donated $60,000 to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina to address food relief in 34 counties in the area during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant will fund hunger relief for K-12 students and their families by providing food boxes and other food distributed to families in need.
In mid-March,
First Horizon Bank donated $25,000 from their Foundation to Inter-Faith Food Shuttle. According to their
press release, "This grant will enable the Food Shuttle to continue developing alternative ways to feed families, children and seniors in light of the current situation unfolding due to COVID-19."
UNC REX Healthcare
UNC REX Healthcare donated enough to the
Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina to fund a truck-load of pre-packaged boxes, which are in highest demand right now. Because the Food Bank had to cancel their spring events, included some of their largest fundraisers of the year, UNC REX Healthcare not only donated their original $10,000 event sponsorship, but matched it with an additional $10,000 to support their COVID-19 response.
Some restaurants are also offering donations to help those who are food insecure including
Smithfield's Chicken 'N Bar-B-Q who donated $5,000 towards serving kids out of school during COVID-19 on March 24.
Volunteers needed at food banks
Because of the COVID-19 situation, the number of people needing assistance has increased. Many area food banks need additional volunteers at this time.
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The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina greatly relies on volunteers to sort and pack food donations, especially in times of crisis. Small groups of volunteers have already packed more than 2,500 family-sized boxes, containing 20 meals per box, which have gone out to our network of disaster relief partner agencies, as well as some school districts. If you are a healthy adult and want to volunteer, you can self-schedule a shift at
foodbankcenc.org/volunteer,” according to Lindsay Humbert, Digital Strategy Manager, Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina.
