New Kent woman wins grand prize in Food Lion contest

Marion Banks summarized her grand prize trip for winning Food Lion’s “Winner’s Circle Celebration, Ultimate Shopping Spree” in one word.

“Wow!”

She and her husband, William, received a two-day, all expenses paid trip to Charlotte, N.C. where she joined NASCAR driver Kyle Busch for a five-minute shopping spree in a local Food Lion store. The couple also toured Joe Gibbs racing where they met Hall of Fame NFL football coach Joe Gibbs.

“They had banners up all over the place saying ‘Congratulations Marion Banks.’ It was a beautiful experience,” the New Kent County resident said in a recent interview.

Working together, Mrs. Banks and Busch collected over $4,000 in food items during the shopping spree on Aug. 11. She and her husband took home more than $4,400 in Food Lion gift cards. Food collected was donated to a food bank in the Charlotte area.

“He was fast,” Mrs. Banks said, describing Busch’s food gathering prowess during the five-minute spree. “I couldn’t have gotten all that with the arthritis in my knee.”

At Joe Gibbs Racing, the couple toured the facility, inspecting racecars and learning how the cars are built. Meeting the legendary coach proved to be a highlight since she and her husband are Washington Redskins fans.

“He was wonderful,” she said. “He gave me a copy of his book and autographed it.”

Since returning home, the couple attended the NASCAR race in September at Richmond International Raceway to watch Busch run. They did not renew their acquaintance with the driver, but took advantage of an opportunity to visit the pit area.

“We have used some of the gift cards and given some to other people who need it, and it has really helped with food costs,” Mrs. Banks said. “Since the food went to a food bank, it’s been a win-win situation.”

Her name was selected as grand prize winner during a random drawing conducted on May 14. Entries were based on customers using Food Lion MVP cards when purchasing participating products or mailing in an entry card. The contest, which ran April 7-May 4, was open to customers in 11 states in the southeast from Pennsylvania to Florida.

She said she used her MVP card at the Quinton store, and thus was entered automatically. She also said she considered turning down the prize, but was convinced otherwise by Emily Dawson, an executive assistant with the agency overseeing the contest, Retail Sports Marketing.

“The young lady said it would be the chance of a lifetime, and it really was,” she said.

In her letter of thanks to Dawson, Mrs. Banks wrote that she and her husband have not stopped talking about their experience.

“We will keep shopping at Food Lion,” she wrote. “When we go into the store, the cashiers say ‘There goes our grand prize winner.’”