Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills recently received a $37,000 grant to help reduce its waitlist and deliver more meals to homebound residents across Moore County. The funding comes courtesy of Food Lion Feeds’ national partnership with Meals on Wheels America, which is investing $250,000 to help local programs serve more seniors facing hunger and isolation.
The grant will support meal production and volunteer recruitment for new delivery routes, allowing the nonprofit to reach more residents in Foxfire, Whispering Pines, Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen, and Pinebluff.
Dr. Penny Jeffrey, executive director of Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills, said the support will make a direct difference in recipients’ lives.
“In most cases, being homebound and socially isolated prevents people from acquiring nutritious food and daily affirmation from people who care,” Jeffrey said in a news release. “With the support from this grant, our organization can see and feed more homebound residents in Moore County, spreading love and hope to those facing food insecurity and lack of social interactions.”
A study from Meals on Wheels indicates that currently, there are over 2,500,000 North Carolinians over the age of 60, and nearly 25% of them live alone. Among those age 65 and older, almost half of single seniors (48.3%) don’t have enough income to cover basic living expenses. For couples, that number is 20.3%.
Meals on Wheels America launched End the Wait to highlight the growing number of older adults left without services due to a lack of resources and to rally support for serving more seniors in need of nutrition and connection. With senior hunger on the rise and federal funding not keeping pace with demand, partnerships like this are critical to ensure that older adults do not have to wait to receive life-sustaining services.
The nonprofit is entirely community-funded and relies on donations, grants, and volunteers who use their own vehicles to deliver meals. Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills provides a daily hot, nutritious meal to seniors and other individuals who are unable to shop or cook for themselves. The deliveries also serve as a wellness check and a source of companionship for those living alone.
The organization’s mission extends beyond nutrition, hoping to preserve independence and dignity for those who wish to remain in their homes.
A Moore County resident and his four-legged friend appreciate their delivery. Photo via Melissa Schaub.
Kevin Durkee, manager of Food Lion Feeds, said the grocery chain’s goal matches that mission. “At Food Lion, we believe no one should have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries,” Durkee said. “That’s why we’re continuing our partnership with Meals on Wheels America to help ensure more older adults can receive nourishing meals. Together, we can bring hope and nourishment to thousands of seniors.”
In 2001, Food Lion started its nonprofit foundation run by volunteers to make it easier to help groups fighting hunger. Each year since, the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation has given grants and other donations to local organizations that feed people, especially children in need, and worked to improve access to healthy food. Since it launched, the foundation has given over $17.5 million to back to communities.
Since 2022, Food Lion Feeds has contributed more than $1.3 million to Meals on Wheels America and local providers, supporting the delivery of services to more than 23,500 older adults across Food Lion’s 10-state footprint.
Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America, said partnerships like this strengthen the national network’s reach. “Our partnership with Food Lion Feeds is an example of our shared values in action,” Hollander said. “For years, Food Lion Feeds has demonstrated a deep commitment to nourishing its senior neighbors and addressing hunger. Together, we are turning those values into tangible impact—helping end the wait for older adults in need of nutrition and connection.”
Meals on Wheels of the Sandhills, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, serves central and southern Moore County residents who are homebound because of age, disability, or illness. To learn more about volunteering or donating, visit mealsonwheelsofsandhills.org
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~ Article by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
