Arlington, VA – October 15, 2025 – Every day, thousands of older adults are told they must wait to receive the nutrition they desperately need, with more than 46,000 seniors nationwide known to be on waitlists for Meals on Wheels. Together, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion’s hunger-relief platform and Meals on Wheels America are working to change that reality. This fall, Food Lion Feeds is expanding its partnership with Meals on Wheels America with a significant new investment to support the organization’s plan to End the Wait and ensure that they can eliminate all waitlists and reach every senior who needs their services.
Since the beginning of their national partnership in 2022, Food Lion Feeds has contributed more than $1.3 million to Meals on Wheels America and local providers, supporting the delivery of services to more than 23,500 older adults across Food Lion’s 10-state footprint. With a new commitment of $250,000, Food Lion Feeds builds on this legacy and focuses on addressing one of the most pressing challenges facing Meals on Wheels providers today: long waitlists that leave thousands of seniors hungry and isolated.
Through this year’s investment, Meals on Wheels providers in the communities that Food Lion supports will receive much-needed resources to expand their capacity and serve older adults currently waiting for nutritious meals. These organizations have reported significant waitlists, and the partnership aims to help reduce barriers so that more seniors can get the support they need. Local organizations supported include:
- Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills – West End, North Carolina
- Meals on Wheels of Asheville and Buncombe County – Asheville, North Carolina
- Union County Senior Nutrition Program – Monroe, North Carolina
- Senior Services, Inc. – Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland – Baltimore, Maryland
As part of Food Lion Feeds’ total donation, $25,000 has been contributed towards a month-long matching campaign, encouraging some of Meals on Wheels America’s most committed donors to help End the Wait. Funds raised will help elevate the national organization’s pursuits to ensure that every senior who needs Meals on Wheels gets it.
“At Food Lion, we believe no one should have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion. “That’s why we’re continuing our partnership with Meals on Wheels America to help ensure more older adults can receive nourishing meals. Together, we can bring hope and nourishment to thousands of seniors.”
Meals on Wheels America launched End the Wait to shine a light on the growing number of older adults left without services due to lack of resources, and to rally support to serve more seniors in need of nutrition and connection. With senior hunger on the rise and federal funding not keeping pace with demand, partnerships like this are critical to ensure that older adults do not have to wait to receive life-sustaining services.
“Our partnership with Food Lion Feeds is an example of our shared values in action,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO at Meals on Wheels America. “For years, Food Lion Feeds has demonstrated a deep commitment to nourishing its senior neighbors and addressing hunger. Together, we are turning those values into tangible impact – helping End the Wait for older adults in need of nutrition and connection.”
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.
About Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is the leadership organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior hunger and isolation. This network serves virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals, friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. Through funding, leadership, education, research and advocacy, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information or to get involved in advocacy efforts, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org.
