Food Lion is making a difference for Piedmont Community (PCC) students by donating supplies to the college鈥檚 food assistance program and rolling up their sleeves to help pack bags for those in need.
Domonica Langley, PCC鈥檚 AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) Pacer Food Insecurity Projects Coordinator, initially reached out to R.J. Guill, the store manager of Food Lion on Durham Road in Roxboro, with a simple request for a donation to PCC鈥檚 food assistance program. AmeriCorps is the federal agency connecting individuals and organizations through service and volunteering to tackle the nation鈥檚 most pressing challenges. More specifically, VISTA is a national service program through AmeriCorps dedicated to fighting poverty by equipping nonprofit organizations and public agencies with the resources they need to lift communities out of poverty. What she didn鈥檛 expect was for that request to turn into something even bigger.
Guill connected with his regional director, Delony Spraggins, and other stores in the region to donate even more supplies than Langley anticipated. Even after agreeing to donate the supplies, the manager asked if there was something more they could do to help.
On Friday, March 28, 11 regional representatives from Food Lion, along with PCC students and employees, worked together to pack 200 bags for PCC鈥檚 two food assistance programs: Forgot Your Lunch and Pacer Food Pantry. Both programs allow for PCC students to take what they need with no questions asked.
“This kindness that Food Lion has shown the PCC community exceeded what I imagined or hoped for, and I am beyond grateful it did,鈥� Langley said. 鈥淣ot only is there a desire to make a contribution with donations, but to also engage with our student and staff community and support it overall through volunteerism鈥攕uch a rare and valuable offering.”
鈥淔ood Lion鈥檚 generosity goes beyond just donations鈥攊t鈥檚 about community, compassion and making a real impact in the lives of our students,鈥� Dr. Shelly Stone-Moye, PCC Vice President of Student Development said. 鈥淓very day, we see students facing food insecurity, and this contribution of approximately 3,500 food resource items and 2,000 reusable bags will make a meaningful difference. We are truly grateful for their partnership in ensuring our students have the support they need to succeed.”
The Food Lion manager noted that this is hopefully the first of many collaborations with PCC.
Anyone wishing to donate to PCC鈥檚 food assistance program can contact Langley at [email protected] or (336) 322-2196.
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