SALISBURY, NC (Rocktown Now) — Food Lion Feeds is partnering with college campuses to address food insecurity among students. The annual Sack to Give Back program, now in its sixth year, is part of an ongoing effort to nourish neighbors in the towns and cities Food Lion serves. 

This year, 34 colleges and universities, including James Madison University with the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, are participating in Sack to Give Back at a time when nearly half of college students experience food insecurity, according to a study by the Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University.

Since its launch in 2019, Sack to Give Back has contributed more than 3.8 million meals to college and community pantries according to Food Lion.

Food Lion Feeds said it will donate the equivalent of 1,000 meals (up to 30,000 meals per school) for every quarterback sack made by the participating institution.

The program kicks off in September to align with Hunger Action Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about hunger and inspire action to end food insecurity.