Food Lion Feeds Contributes $50,000 to Support USO Mid-Atlantic’s Let’s Cook Teaching Kitchen

Food Lion, as part of its signature philanthropic program, Food Lion Feeds, has announced a generous contribution of $50,000 to the United Service Organizations (USO) Mid-Atlantic. This gift will support USO Mid-Atlantic, “Let’s Cook Teaching Kitchen,” benefiting military families across Southern Virginia. Food Lion Feeds was founded in 2014 by Food Lion to address food insecurity in the towns and cities it serves.

As part of this initiative, a cooking event will be held once a month at the USO Center on Fort Eustis, beginning Jan. 12, 2025, offering military service members and their families an opportunity to learn practical cooking skills, engage with others in the community, and foster healthier lifestyles.

"This generous donation from Food Lion Feeds represents a shared dedication to strengthening our military community,” said John Falin, Executive Director of USO Mid-Atlantic. “Together, we are empowering military families to cook, connect, and thrive. We are deeply grateful to Food Lion for their unwavering support.”

The contribution underscores Food Lion’s commitment to enhancing community wellness and supporting nutritional education. Through this partnership, the “Let’s Cook Teaching Kitchen,” will host culinary classes aimed at equipping military service members and their families with practical cooking skills, fostering wellness, and creating shared family experiences.

“Every day, Food Lion’s goal is to nourish families to set them up for success in life and USO Mid-Atlantic can count on us as their trusted partner,” said Billy Zyliak, Vice President, Richmond/Norfolk Division, Food Lion. “We believe no one should have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries. Through partnerships like this one, we increase access to nutritious food and nutritional education, helping to address some of the root causes of food insecurity.”

Media requesting additional information please contact Barry Morris, USO Southeast Region Senior Regional Marketing and Communications Specialist at bmorris@uso.org or Food Lion Media Relations at 704-245-3317, publicrelationsteam@foodlion.com.

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 the USO The USO is the leading nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the well-being of the people serving in America’s military and their families. Since 1941, the USO has been by the side of service members throughout their military service. Impactful support is provided through our 250+ locations around the world, a robust care package delivery program, global entertainment, military spouse and youth programming, and much more, all made possible by donors, corporate partners, volunteers and staff.