Local food banks are preparing for the upcoming school year and the fight against childhood hunger. BI-LO has launched the Summer Backpack Hunger Relief Program in all stores to help children who don’t know from where their next meal will come from. Customers are encouraged to donate at any store register through August 19 to help provide meals for healthy minds and bodies to thrive in the classroom. Every dollar donated will go directly to regional food banks to help fill backpacks with nutritious, fresh foods.
Give a dollar. Help fill a backpack.
“As a community food provider, no issue touches the heart of our customers and associates more than childhood hunger,” said Rondel Hartwell, BI-LO’s director of community involvement and charitable giving. “It’s our belief that no child should ever go hungry and that every child deserves nutritious meals and a healthy start to life.”
"The BI-LO Summer Backpack Hunger Relief Program provides a quick and easy way for our communities to help give hungry children a nutritious meal.”
Area food banks benefitting from the BI-LO Summer Backpack Hunger Relief program include:
Tri-State Food Pantry, Trenton, Ga.
Here I AM, The Care Mission, LaFayette, Ga.
Chattanooga Area Food Bank
We Care Food Pantry in Rhea County, Dayton
HaCoBA Ministries, Chattanooga
Soddy Daisy Food Bank
Waterville Baptist Church, Cleveland
Lee University Food Bank, Cleveland
Wesley Memorial UMC Food Pantry, Etowah
The Samaritan Center, Ooltewah
Ninth District Food Bank, Blairsville, Ga.
Murray County Senior Center, Chatsworth, Ga.
"BI-LO has a rich history of supporting its neighborhoods and communities through foundation and vendor supported charitable donations and programs. The company’s associates don’t just work in the stores; they live in these neighborhoods and are passionate about building stronger, healthier communities. BI-LO encourages customers to address the childhood hunger needs in their communities by making donations at store registers as they complete their grocery shopping," officials said.