Walmart steps up to fight hunger, spark change
LIHUE — U.S. Walmart and Sams Club stores, including nine Walmart stores and two Sams Club stores in Hawaii, are participating in the Fight Hunger. Spark Change, campaign, a Walmart spokesperson said on Friday.
The annual cause marketing campaign aims to provide people facing hunger with access to the food and resources they need to thrive.
“For the past 20 years, Feeding America, Walmart and Sam’s Club have worked together to fight hunger and help people live better in the communities we serve,” said Julie Gehrki, president of Walmart Foundation, and senior vice president, philanthropy at Walmart. “During the Fight Hunger. Spark Change campaign, we invite our customers and members to join us in providing access to food for our neighbors by supporting the statewide network of food banks in Hawaii.”
Through March 31, Walmart shoppers, or hunger fighters have three ways to participate:
First, by donating at the store’s checkout, or round up at walmart.com, and the Walmart app.
Secondly, by purchasing participating products instore or online at walmart.com or samsclub.com.
Thirdly, by donating to Feeding America’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change campaign donation site at either feedingamerica.org/walmart, or feedingamerica.org/samsclub.
The 24 participating suppliers for Walmart include: B&G Foods, Inc., Bush Brothers &Co., Celsius, The Coca-Cola Company, Conagra Foods, Dole Packaged Food, LLC, Ferrero USA, General Mills, Hershey Salty Snacks, Kellanova, Keurig, Dr. Pepper, Kodiak, Kraft Heinz, Lipton Tea, Ben’s Original, Materne, Mondelez International, Olipop, Pepsi-Cola Advertising &Marketing, Inc., Hidden Valley Original Ranch, The Hain Celestial Group, WK Kellogg Co., Unilver, and Utz Quality Foods.
Since the start of the Fight Hunger. Spark Change campaign in 2014, the campaign has generated more than $206 million for the Feeding America network of food banks, including the Hawaii Foodbank on Oahu, Hawaii Foodbank Kauai, Maui Food Bank, and The Food Basket on Hawaii Island.
To date, the campaign has helped secure nearly 1 million meals for local families across Hawaii.
“Nearly one in three households in Hawaii are currently facing food insecurity, and the need for food assistance opportunities only continues to grow,” said Amy Miller, the president and CEO of Hawaii Foodbank. “The Fight Hunger. Spark Change campaign comes at a crucial time, as we are currently serving an average of 170,000 people each month, a 13 percent increase over last year. We are so grateful to Walmart and Sam’s Club and their generous customers for helping local families, keiki, and kupuna have access to the safe and healthy food we all need to thrive.”
For more information on the Fight Hunger. Spark Change campaign and other community promotions, visit the Hawaii Foodbank website at www.hawaiifoodbank.org/promotions.