September 18, 2024 – Davidson-Davie Community College is participating in the annual Collegiate Hunger Challenge, where it will compete against 13 other North Carolina colleges and universities. A transformative program tackling food insecurity on college campuses, the program empowers college students to create awareness about food insecurity and compete against one another to collect the most food for neighbors experiencing hunger. The Collegiate Hunger Challenge was created by Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion’s hunger-relief platform, and North Carolina Campus Engagement, a collaborative network of colleges and universities committed to educating students on civic and social responsibility.
During the competition, Food Lion Feeds and North Carolina Campus Engagement will award a total of $25,000 to winning colleges for their efforts to fight hunger on and around their campuses. The partnership will award one $10,000 overall prize and a $5,000 prize from each sector – community college, four-year public college and four-year independent institution. Since 2019, the Collegiate Hunger Challenge has provided more than $160,000, equivalent to more than 1.6 million meals*.
Throughout the challenge, which runs from Sept. 9, 2024, through Dec. 20, 2024, the participating colleges and universities accumulate points through various activities centered around addressing food insecurity and raising awareness about the issue. Since the statewide Collegiate Hunger Challenge began in 2018, more than 30 North Carolina colleges and universities have participated. Each school selects one or two MVP Student Hunger Ambassadors responsible for leading the effort as part of the challenge.
“Food Lion Feeds is excited to join forces with the next generation of leaders to find solutions to hunger on college campuses,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion. “Aside from addressing food insecurity in our communities, the Collegiate Hunger Challenge also supports our educational partners. Through their participation, students gain valuable experience in community service and leadership. It empowers them to make a tangible difference while fostering a sense of social responsibility.”
The Collegiate Hunger Challenge also kicks off in September to align with Hunger Action Month, a time when Food Lion Feeds deepens its extensive existing relationship with Feeding America®. The partnership highlights the impact food can have on a person’s life and inspires action to end hunger within their communities.
“We are so grateful to Food Lion for their ongoing partnership,” said Leslie Garvin, Executive Director, North Carolina Campus Engagement. “Not only does this initiative directly benefit students facing food insecurity, but it also develops and builds the leadership skills and dispositions of the Hunger Ambassadors, while promoting awareness, empathy and compassion throughout the campus. In addition to addressing tangible needs, we are destigmatizing student food insecurity and mobilizing campuses to continue to address this critical issue.”
As part of the challenge, each school selects one or two MVP Student Hunger Ambassadors to lead the effort. Davidson-Davie Community College has appointed Katrina Prickett and Emma Frausto, both sophomores in the Associate in Science program, to serve as the MVP Student Hunger Ambassadors to lead the campaign. Prickett and Frausto were chosen due to their unwavering commitment to the Storm Food Pantry located on campus and leadership within the Student Government Association. The staff mentor is Alana Dunlap. Participating schools receive an activity fund, marketing materials and ongoing support. The ambassadors will receive a stipend upon completion of the campaign.
A check presentation ceremony will occur Feb. 12, 2025, at NCCE’s annual Pathways to Achieving Civic Engagement Conference at Guilford Technical Community College.
*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of local partner food banks.
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. In 2014, Food Lion Feeds was created and has since donated more than 1.2 billion meals to those who are food insecure. The retailer has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025. 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 North Carolina Campus Engagement
North Carolina Campus Engagement is a collaborative network of colleges and universities committed to educating students for civic and social responsibility, partnering with communities for positive change and strengthening democracy. Learn more at nccampusengagement.org
About Davidson-Davie Community College
Davidson-Davie Community College (www.DavidsonDavie.edu), which incorporated Davie County into its name in 2021, is a fully accredited, multi-campus college where students of all ages and backgrounds pursue academic and career-focused education in order to build successful futures. As one of 58 institutions within the North Carolina Community College System, Davidson-Davie offers more than 40 degree and professional certificate programs, as well as affordable college-credit coursework to students who plan to transfer to four-year schools. With a mission to serve the changing needs of students competing in a global environment, Davidson-Davie is committed to quality education, innovative and equitable learning experiences, training, and support across a wide range of 21st-century career fields.
Food Lion Media Relations
704-245-3317
publicrelationsteam@foodlion.com
North Carolina Campus Engagement
Sam Delap
336-278-7197
sdelap@ncengage.org
Davidson-Davie Community College
Alana Dunlap
336-249-8186 ext. 6377
alana_dunlap@davidsondavie.edu