Celebrating Community Culinary Champions: The Flavor of Generosity
When it comes to fighting food insecurity, few can match the tasty triumphs gleamed from the Feedys Awards, hosted annually by Food Lion Feeds. This year’s gala, held on June 12, 2025, in Salisbury, NC, was a delightful feast of recognition, honoring heartwarming efforts from food banks, volunteers, and community leaders who are transforming lives through the power of food.
A Toast to Ten Years of Nourishment
Food Lion Feeds has been on a mission since 2014, serving up freshness, nourishment, and hope across its 10-state footprint. Its guiding star? The belief that no one should ever have to choose between a warm meal and paying the rent. As Kevin Durkee, the passionate manager of Food Lion Feeds, aptly puts it, “During a time when so many families face food insecurity, we are grateful to join forces to provide fresh, nutritious food to our community.” And boy, what a community it is!
Meet the Standout Stars
The Food King Feeding Partner Award: The Agape Center New River Valley
Awarded to organizations pushing the envelope of generosity, this honor went to the Agape Center in Christiansburg, VA. This wonderland of community care expanded from serving 175 families to over 400 monthly. Imagine transforming a rustic school building into a bustling center, not just distributing food but also clothing and life skills education—a heartfelt cornucopia of resources!
The Lion Heart Volunteer Award: Joseph Goodyear
Stepping up to the plate is Joseph Goodyear from Livingstones Tabernacle in Hampstead, NC. Under his expert guidance, the organization has delivered over 1.5 million pounds of food since 1999. From driving the church van to coordinating volunteers, his nurturing spirit has fostered a thriving collective that provides a vital lifeline for families in need.
The Grand Lion for Good Vendor Award: Freshouse
Freshouse has solidified its commitment to food relief through its innovative Food Lion Feeds Orange Bag Campaign. Each zesty bag of fresh citrus not only nourishes families but helps stock food shelves where it’s sorely needed. More than $85,000 has been funneled into this juicy initiative, resulting in thousands of meals delivered—talk about a win-win!
The Store that Roars Motivational Award: Food Lion Grafton
Standing triumphantly among the competition is Food Lion at 5210 George Washington Hwy in Grafton, VA. Their holiday initiative, Holidays Without Hunger, sold over 7,000 boxes, all thanks to the inspired leadership of Customer Service Manager Brette Taylor. From packing boxes to running mobile pantries, this store embodies compassion in action.
The Meg Ham Caring for Our Communities Award: Kathy Whicker
Kathy Whicker, a spirited associate from Winston-Salem, has woven a tapestry of hunger relief efforts from cooking classes to hurricane aid. Her multi-faceted approach isn’t just about food—it’s about empowerment. Imagine teaching families to create delicious, nutritious meals, balanced with heart and mindfulness!
Special One-Time Good Neighbor Award: Kay Carter
Despite the storms of life (and literal storms like Hurricane Helene), Kay Carter of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina dashed into the fray, delivering hope through 750,000 pounds of food and supplies. Her tenacity is a perfect reminder that together, we can weather any storm.
A Tasty Legacy
Food Lion Feeds has served up a staggering 1.5 billion meals since its inception and is committed to dishing out a further 3 billion meals by 2032. A vision of unity, resilience, and compassion combined with the love of food enriches our tables and our communities.
For those looking to dig deeper into this inspiring journey, visit Food Lion Feeds and discover ways you can contribute to this incredible cause. After all, the most delicious flavors of life come from the heart! 🍽️✨
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Bio: Talia brings a background in health journalism and holistic living to help readers live better, one tip at a time.