Walmart Rolls Out 'Fight Hunger. Spark Change.' Campaign

The Walmart Foundation has introduced Fight Hunger. Spark Change., a national campaign encouraging the public to take action to help eradicate hunger. The campaign will award $3.7 million in grants to participating Feeding America food banks and local partner agencies. Additionally, Walmart has joined forces with chef, cookbook author and TV host G. Garvin, and is urging customers to support their local food banks by voting online.

To help Chicago-based Feeding America aid the one in seven Americans that it estimates will need its assistance this year, Walmart has formed partnerships with six of the nation’s largest food companies -- General Mills, Unilever, Hormel, ConAgra Foods, PepsiCo/Quaker and Kellogg Co. - to support food banks and local partner agencies across the United States.

"Hunger remains a serious issue in our country, as millions of Americans don't know where their next meal will come from,” noted Kathleen McLaughlin, president of the Walmart Foundation and SVP of Walmart Sustainability. "By engaging our associates, customers and suppliers in the fight against hunger, we can make a positive impact on this issue and ensure families have access to the healthier and nutritious food they need. Through this initiative, we're giving everyone in America the opportunity to make a difference by simply voting online for their local food bank."

"One of my biggest passions as a chef is showing people how simple it can be to make healthy and delicious meals for their families," said Garvin. "Walmart's Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign is making it simple and fun for the public to get involved and will help ensure all families have access to the healthy and nutritious food they need."

"Through this initiative, Walmart, along with its associates, customers and suppliers, will make a lasting impact in helping to reduce hunger in America," added Bob Aiken, CEO of Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization.

Voting to Alleviate Hunger

Through Oct. 5, customers can go online to cast one vote per day that will help direct grants to participating Feeding America food banks and local partner agencies. The 50 winning food banks will each get a $60,000 grant. The campaign additionally tells customers how to donate or volunteer to help fight hunger locally.

The goal of the campaign is to donate the monetary equivalent of 37 million-plus meals to Feeding America food banks and local agencies throughout the United States.

Further, as part of Walmart's overall commitment to not only provide meals to the needy, but also to give more people access to nutrition education, the Bentonville, Ark.-based mega-retailer is working to ensure the food donated is fresh and offers a healthy alternative.