In a powerful act of generosity and community care, Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and his wife, Nicole Tepper, have announced a $10 million donation to food banks across North and South Carolina. The contribution, one of the largest single philanthropic gifts in the region’s history, is aimed at combating food insecurity and supporting families in need throughout the Carolinas.
The donation will be distributed among several major food banks, including Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, Harvest Hope Food Bank, and others serving rural and urban communities hit hardest by economic hardship and inflation.
“Food insecurity affects far too many families in our communities,” said Nicole Tepper in a joint statement. “We believe no child, senior, or hardworking parent should go to bed hungry. This is about neighbors helping neighbors.”
David Tepper, who has increasingly made philanthropy a core part of the Panthers’ mission, emphasized the long-term impact of the donation. “This isn’t just about giving money—it’s about creating stability and providing hope,” he said. “Hunger is a solvable problem, and we are committed to being part of the solution.”
Food bank officials expressed deep gratitude for the transformative support, noting that the donation will help provide tens of millions of meals and expand mobile food delivery programs to reach remote areas.
“This gift comes at a critical time,” said Kay Carter, CEO of Second Harvest. “We’ve seen demand increase dramatically, and this allows us to scale our response in ways we never thought possible.”
The Tepers’ commitment serves as a reminder of the power of sports leaders to impact lives off the field. At a time when communities continue to recover from post-pandemic struggles, the Panthers’ owners are proving that leadership begins with compassion.
