On Thursday, Nov. 9 Food Lion and its Food Lion Feeds hunger-relief initiative supported military families by partnering with Hope For The Warriors and distributing 200 backpacks to Jacksonville-based military families and stocking the MCAS New River Chapel Annex food pantry with more than 1,000 pounds of nonperishable food items.

The grocer also presented Hope For The Warriors with a donation of more than $850,000 that will benefit veterans, service members and military families through the nonprofit’s many programs which include transition services, clinical health and wellness, sports and recreation, community development and engagement.

Since many military families are young and often include several children, Hope For The Warriors continues to see an increasing number of families who need assistance over long weekends and school breaks when children aren’t benefiting from school breakfast and lunch programs.

Looking to alleviate the burden to military families, Food Lion and Hope For The Warriors employees filled and distributed backpacks containing a Food Lion gift card, nonperishable food items, personal care items and school supplies.

"At Food Lion, we consider our military and veteran customers our neighbors, friends and in many cases, our family," said Meg Ham, president of Food Lion. "It's an honor to be able to show our gratitude for the many sacrifices these men and women have made for our country by providing this discount to military and their families."

Hope For The Warriors is a national nonprofit dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family and hope for veterans, service members and military families.

“It’s an honor to work with Food Lion, its employees and customers to support N.C. military families at today’s event, “said Robin Kelleher, co-founder and president of Hope For The Warriors. “The backpacks and stocked pantry at the Chapel Annex will make an immediate difference in the lives of military families.

“We’re blown away with the additional monetary donation from the Food Lion Feeds initiative and the annual Thriller on the Griller events from this summer,” added Kelleher. “The support of Food Lion and its customers will go a long way in continuing to assist veterans, service members and military families nationwide through the Hope For The Warriors programs.”

Through Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion is working to create a better tomorrow by uniting with customers and partners to help eliminate the difficult choices many families are forced to make when they are struggling with hunger. The company has committed to donating 500 million meals by 2020.

To learn more about Food Lion Feeds or the "Hope For The Warriors" campaign, visit foodlion.com/feeds or visit hopeforthewarriors.org.

For photos, visit: http://bit.ly/2i0YsWj