Mar 1, 2005 12:00 PM

Food Lion and Hormel Foods donated more than 5,000 Hormel hams, totaling more than 7,550 pounds, to food banks and assistance agencies in North and South Carolina.

Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia SC, the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina in Charlotte NC, and the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina in Raleigh NC each received 1,056 hams. The Manna Food Bank in Asheville NC got 1,428 Hormel hams. In Food Lion's hometown of Salisbury NC, two organizations — Rowan County Helping Ministries and the Salvation Army — received 240 hams each.

These donations mean 5,076 Carolina families in need enjoyed a nutritious meal this holiday season.