Food Lion and NFL Player Make Impact Against Hunger in Delaware

November 7, 2016

By Benny Smith, Food Lion

Deborah Ali is a Wilmington, Del., grandmother who is willing to do anything to help her family. On Monday, that meant standing in line at her local Food Lion on Governor Prinz Boulevard in Delaware for three hours to get a free bag of Food Lion branded items, fresh collard greens and a frozen turkey.

“Food Lion is just a great store that has good employees; this is such a blessing,” Ali said while standing at the front of the long line of more than 100 people in the store’s parking lot. “I have grandchildren and I want them to have a nice Thanksgiving with good food and a family surrounded by love. This will help a lot.”

She and almost 200 people braved cold temperatures to get the free items as part of a Food Lion Feeds distribution in the store’s parking lot. Food Lion partnered with Philadelphia Eagles player Rodney McLeod and the Food Bank of Delaware to execute the flawless event.

“Happy Thanksgiving and have a good day,” McLeod said just a day after playing a football game with his Philadelphia Eagles team on Sunday.

People took photos and some got autographs with McLeod on Monday, but more importantly they received a Thanksgiving meal to help them through the holiday.

Kim Turner, media spokesman with the Food Bank said the distribution could not have come at a better time.

“It’s very important that food retailers like Food Lion understand the need to fight hunger here in Delaware, and we so appreciate it, especially during this time of year,” Turner said before collecting vouchers from those pre-selected for the food giveaway.

Food Lion associates distributed 200 bags of Food Lion branded product, fresh collard greens and a frozen turkey.

“Thank you Food Lion. This is such a blessing,” one woman said before collecting the last bag.