Collegiate Hunger Challenge Supports Annual Hunger-Relief Competition
Food Lion Feeds and NC Campus Engagement lead the 2026 challenge to food insecurity.
Students at 12 North Carolina colleges and universities are participating in the 2026 North Carolina Collegiate Hunger Challenge, led by Food Lion Feeds and North Carolina Campus Engagement.
The annual competition empowers MVP Student Hunger Ambassadors to raise awareness of food insecurity, connect students with available resources, and help improve access to food on and around their campuses. Each school will have a local Food Lion store contact to support student-led food drives, educational events, and campus pantry efforts.
The two organizations will award $25,000 to four winning schools: $10,000 to the Grand Hunger Champion and $5,000 to each of three sector champions (community college, four-year public college, and four-year independent institution).
The challenge runs from September 7 through December 18, 2026. During the competition, Student ambassadors can earn points for food drives, fundraising efforts, and other activities aimed at educating students, faculty, and staff about food insecurity and local hunger-relief resources.
Participating Schools
- Alamance Community College, Graham County
- Catawba College, Salisbury
- Chowan University, Murfreesboro
- Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City
- High Point University, High Point
- Methodist University, Fayetteville
- NC Central University, Durham
- Queens University of Charlotte, Charlotte
- UNC Charlotte, Charlotte
- UNC Greensboro, Greensboro
- UNC Pembroke, Pembroke
- Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa
Throughout the competition, students will have a local Food Lion contact to support hunger-relief initiatives and help strengthen connections between campus and community resources. Store leaders are prepared to serve as local hunger relief ambassadors and work with student teams on activities such as food drives and campus pantry support.
“Students understand the needs on their campuses and bring creative ideas to help address them,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion. “By connecting each school with a local Food Lion store, we can support their efforts and build relationships that strengthen this work. Together, we’re helping students access the food they need to learn, grow, and succeed.”
During the 2025 Collegiate Hunger Challenge competition, participating schools hosted more than 120 awareness events and reached more than 10,700 students, staff, faculty, and community members. Their activities included food drives, pantry renovations, and educational programs.
“The Collegiate Hunger Challenge gives students an opportunity to lead meaningful change on their campuses,” said Leslie Garvin, Executive Director of North Carolina Campus Engagement. “As student ambassadors engage their peers, they help reduce the stigma around seeking food assistance and build awareness of available resources.”
Since 2019, the NC Collegiate Hunger Challenge has awarded more than $185,000, equivalent to more than 1.8 million meals.
Through Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion has helped provide more than 1.5 billion meals to individuals and families since 2014 and has committed to doubling that number by 2032. To learn more about Food Lion Feeds and its hunger relief efforts, visit foodlion.com/feeds.
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. Founded and based in Salisbury, NC, since 1957, Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the US division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize. For more information, visit foodlion.com.
About North Carolina Campus Engagement
North Carolina Campus Engagement is a collaborative network of colleges and universities committed to preparing students for civic and social responsibility, partnering with communities for positive change and strengthening democracy. Learn more at nccampusengagement.org.
