Converse University Receives Grant from Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation
Grant increases access to nutritious food; provides nutritional education
Monday, June 22, 2026
Converse University has received $2,400 from the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation to help nourish University community members experiencing food insecurity. The Nourishing our Neighbors grant supports community feeding partners by helping neighbors increase their access to nutritious food, nutritional education and other beneficial resources.
The funds will support Valkyrie Supply, Converse’s basic needs hub located on campus. Valkyrie Supply is a one-stop shop for food and hygiene items for members of the university community and is sustained through donations and monetary gifts.
Converse Director of Community Engagement and University Chaplain Eliza Smith DeBevoise says the grant will be used to purchase food items and support nutritional education for campus. “We are overwhelmed with appreciation for the support that the Foundation continues to provide our Converse community,” she said of the gift. “We cannot thank the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation enough for committing their support to Converse and our students experiencing food insecurity.”
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation granted the University $1,500 in 2023, as well as a generous $10,000 disaster relief grant in 2024 to rebuild after Hurricane Helene, helping with recovery efforts and allowing Converse to support its community members affected by the storm.
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is committed to supporting families facing food insecurity across Food Lion’s 10-state footprint. Established in 2001, the Foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to feeding local neighbors in the communities it serves. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than $25 million in grant funding to help nourish communities with fresh food.
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About Converse University
Converse University is a dynamic institution driven by innovation and a deep commitment to community. Founded in 1889 by visionary citizens of Spartanburg, South Carolina, Converse was established to expand educational access and opportunity—originally for women, and since 2020, for all undergraduate students. Today, Converse encompasses the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Business and Data Science, the School of the Arts, The Graduate School, and Converse College for Women. Across all disciplines, students are empowered to become transformative leaders who see clearly, decide wisely, and act justly. Through a blend of deep scholarship, transformative mentorship, experiential learning, and a culture of mutual support, Converse cultivates not only knowledge and creativity, but also the professional and technical skills essential for success in a rapidly evolving world. Rooted in its community and always looking ahead, Converse is committed to shaping graduates who lead change and uplift others.
About The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C. Established in 2001, the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation provides financial support for programs and organizations dedicated to eliminating hunger. The charitable foundation has provided more than $25 million in grant funding, helping to nourish communities with fresh food for backpack programs, Kids Café’s and other hunger-relief programs as well as funding for long-term programs to help shorten the lines at food banks. The charitable foundation partners with Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief agency, in addition to local food agencies serving the 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states in which Food Lion operates. For more information, visit foodlion.com/pages/food-lion-feeds.