FanDuel recently donated $200,000 to two food banks in North Carolina in an effort to provide hunger relief in the form of one million meals for individuals in need across the entire state.
Key Takeaways
- FanDuel partnered with the Carolina Panthers in 2024.
- Two prominent food banks received $100,000 each.
- The funds are expected to provide one million meals across the state.
FanDuel gave its donation in two $100,000 increments, sending one to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina (Food Bank CENC), the state’s largest hunger relief group, and the other to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, which feeds individuals in 24 counties surrounding the Charlotte metro area.
FanDuel TV’s Kay Adams presented the checks to the organizations during her recent trip to see the Carolina Panthers’ training camp, during which she filmed an episode of her show “Up & Adams.”
During a visit to @Panthers training camp, @FanDuel announced it is donating $200,000 to food banks in North Carolina to support hunger relief and provide one million meals across the state@heykayadams | @Panthers pic.twitter.com/8eDwwTK8je
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) August 1, 2025
“With hunger at a near 20-year high and drastic cuts to federal support on the horizon, this generous contribution couldn’t come at a more important time for our communities,” said Food Bank president and CEO Amy Beros. “The stakes have never been higher – and we hope FanDuel’s incredible investment will inspire fans throughout the region to get involved in the fight to end hunger.”
“We are grateful for the support from FanDuel with this generous donation that is going to enable us to make a real difference in the lives of so many of our neighbors throughout the Charlotte region,” added Kay Carter, CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina. “Having partners like FanDuel who share a commitment to giving back allows us to reach even more families in need and strengthen the community we all call home.”
Hunger in Carolina is a growing issue
FanDuel’s donation was not simply a sign of good faith for its Carolina partner, the Panthers’ organization. Rather, it was a much-needed action amid increasing hunger rates across the state.
One in seven – or more than 1.6 million – North Carolina residents are facing food insecurity, according to Feeding America's annual Map the Meal Gap analysis, shared by Food Bank CENC. That includes one out of every five kids and teenagers, and one out of every four members of the Black and Latin communities.
There are also nearly 14,000 more “older adults” who are food insecure than they were the year before.
The average cost of a single meal for food-insecure individuals was 10.6% higher than it was during the peak of the COVID pandemic, according to Feeding America.
Food Bank CENC estimates that without significant investment and actions to increase affordability, there will be more than 115 million lost meals annually in central and eastern North Carolina.
Upholding community obligations
Both Food Bank CENC and Second Harvest Food Bank have a wide reach, with 48 counties and several regional hubs represented between them. Second Harvest also works with 10 counties in South Carolina.
FanDuel reached a partnership deal with the Panthers in March 2024. The multi-year agreement was inked one week before the state’s official launch of mobile sports betting.
