From Rowan Helping Ministries

On Tuesday, children staying in Rowan Helping Ministries’ Shelter wanted to show the world how they’d end hunger through art. The young artists from Rowan Helping Ministries are among hundreds in the region who have submitted designs showing how they would help feed someone who is hungry.

“Food Lion is such a strong partner with us in addressing hunger issues in our community,”said Kyna Grubb, executive director of Rowan Helping Ministries. “Their generous financial support and food donations extend our ability to help citizens who don’t have enough to eat. The bag design contest is a great way for the children in our shelter to be creative  and have important discussions around issues related to hunger.”

Winners will have their artwork showcased on Food Lion Feeds reusable bags, with proceeds from bag sales going to help those who are hungry.  The deadline for entering the contest is Friday.

Rita Roberson visited the Shelter to collect the children’s entries for Food Lion’s “Roar Against Hunger” Design-A-Reusable-Bag contest.

“We hope the contest sparks a conversation about hunger awareness and way we can fight it together,” said Roberson. “The drawing we have received have been great. It’s going to be hard judging the entries.”

Entries in the Design-A-Reusable-Bag contest will be judged based on originality and overall design.  One overall winner will be chosen, along with three runners-up.  Winners will be announced no later than December 31 and will be awarded a $1,000 food bank donation in their names.  The Grand Prize winner will receive an iPad Mini2 and the runners-up will receive an iPad Mini.

The Design-A-Reusable-Bag contest is part of the “Food Lion Feeds” initiative launched this year.  Through this initiative, Food Lion is working to create a better tomorrow by uniting with customers and partners to eliminate the choices families are forced to make when they are hungry. By the end of 2020, the company has pledged to provide 500 million meals to families in need in its local communities.

Rowan Helping Ministries served more than 95,000 meals last year through Jeannie’s Kitchen.  The organization also distributed nearly 550,000 pounds of groceries to more than 22,000 neighbors in need in Rowan County.  The agency also provides clothing and financial assistance to those in crisis, shelter to the homeless, and helps transition the homeless into self-sufficiency.