Walmart today launched its annual “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign, which this year brings new ways that customers can participate to help support the Feeding America network of 200 local food banks.
For the 2018 campaign, Walmart and Feeding America are doubling their meal goal to 200 million meals and expanding supplier participation to 14 companies. In addition, customers can now use the Walmart Credit Card to contribute, and Walmart has enlisted social networking site Nextdoor to spur community discussion about the local impact of hunger in select cities.
The retail giant is kicking off the campaign with a $1.5 million donation and plans to donate a total of $3 million to Feeding America based on public social media engagement in the effort.
“In communities big and small across the country, there are families struggling with hunger. By working together during this campaign with our suppliers, customers and friends at Feeding America, we can help secure 200 million meals that will help those who need it most,” Kathleen McLaughlin, president of the Walmart Foundation and chief sustainability officer for Walmart, said in a statement.
Through April 30, Walmart customers can take part in “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” online, in-store and via social sharing to help secure meals for local food banks.
For every eligible product purchased at U.S. and Puerto Rico Walmart stores or on Walmart.com, suppliers will donate the monetary equivalent of one meal (10 cents) on behalf of a Feeding America member food bank. Participating suppliers include General Mills, The Coca-Cola Co., Kellogg, Kraft Heinz, PepsiCo/Frito-Lay/Quaker, Bush Brothers, Clorox Sales Co., Conagra, Motts, Unilever, Maruchan, Pinnacle Foods, Post and J.M. Smucker.
Walmart shoppers can donate to their local Feeding America food bank at checkout in amounts of $1, $2, $5 or an amount chosen by the customer. Contributions also can be made at Scan and Go checkout. When customers click “Finish & Pay” on totals of more than $10, a prompt will provide details on donating.
And for each Walmart Credit Card transaction made at Walmart stores and on Walmart.com during the campaign, Synchrony Bank will donate 10 cents (the monetary equivalent of one meal) up to $750,000.
Helping through social engagement
Customers, too, can make an online act of support. For every traceable post of campaign content with #FightHunger on Instagram and for every traceable share or retweet of campaign content on Facebook and Twitter, Walmart will donate $10 to Feeding America. Also, for each click on the support button at the Walmart.com/fighthunger website, Walmart will donate $1 to Feeding America, up to $1.5 million.
Meanwhile, social site Nextdoor, which is active in 170,000 neighborhoods across the country, will invite community leaders, city officials, local chefs, the local food bank, journalists and others to gather around handcrafted tables made by Neighbor’s Table, which will remain as a gift in the community from Neighbor’s Table, to discuss how to combat hunger locally. After the gatherings, community members will be encouraged to learn more about ways they can take action to help their local food bank.
“Walmart continues to step up to take action against hunger and help local Feeding America food banks, and this undertaking aligns perfectly with our commitment to help neighbors come together to build stronger communities in America,” said Nextdoor co-founder and chief executive officer Nirav Tolia. “The food crisis that is impacting millions of Americans every day is a huge challenge, but neighbors coming together in local communities can make a true difference."
According to the USDA, 41 million Americans (one in eight) — including nearly 13 million children (one in six) — grapple with hunger at some point during the year.
“Hunger impacts every single county in the United States,” said Matt Knott, president of Feeding America. “Every day, the Feeding America network of 200 member food banks are on the ground helping children and families who need it most, but we know that we can’t end hunger alone. Feeding America is grateful to Walmart for its long-standing commitment to fighting hunger in communities across the country.
“Through the ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change.’ campaign, Walmart has created an opportunity for suppliers and customers to join the fight to end hunger,” Knott added. “We hope everyone is inspired to take action and support their neighbors in need.”
