Walmart & God’s Pantry: Fight Hunger, Spark Change

LEXINGTON, KY. (WTVQ)- A lot of hungry Kentucky families could benefit from a special campaign that is now underway. Walmart just kicked off its Fight Hunger, Spark Change program. It could raise up to $3 million in donations. And the money would go to food banks across the country, including God’s Pantry in Central Kentucky.

The campaign runs from April 6 through May 3, 2015. It includes participation in the #WeSparkChange social media challenge. And Walmart customers can make a donation to God’s Pantry Food Bank at the register during checkout.

“We are thrilled about Walmart’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign and grateful for their ongoing commitment to fight hunger,” said Marian F. Guinn, CEO OF God’s Pantry Food Bank “This spring’s campaign, in partnership with Feeding America, is critical to our collective ability to raise awareness about the issue, secure more local funds and, ultimately, provide greater access to more people in need in our 50 county service area. We hope people across Central and Eastern Kentucky will join us to fight hunger and spark change during this four-week campaign.”

According to God’s Pantry, Walmart and six of its national suppliers are calling on customers to take action in store and online to generate support for Feeding America and its nationwide network of 200 food banks. The national suppliers include Campbell’s, ConAgra Foods, General Mills, Kellogg Company, Kraft and Unilever.

God’s Pantry says there are three ways the community can get involved in the fight against hunger:

1. #WeSparkChange Challenge: People can take a picture of six friends who share their commitment to fight hunger, representing the one in six people who face food insecurity in the U.S. Then, post the picture on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter as a public post with the hashtag #WeSparkChange. For each public post connected to the hashtag #WeSparkChange, Walmart will donate $10, up to a maximum donation of $1.5 million, to Feeding America on behalf of its member food banks. To help generate more donations, customers can post multiple pictures, tagging friends and challenging them to take their own photo within 48 hours.

To kick-off the challenge, Walmart will make an initial donation of $1.5 million to Feeding America, with the goal of reaching a total donation of $3 million based on the public’s participation.

2. Participating Products: Walmart customers can purchase one of 240 participating products in Walmart stores nationwide and the supplier will make a donation to help Feeding America secure a meal on behalf of a local food bank. For every item purchased, Feeding America will help secure one meal on behalf of the local member food bank in that area.

3. Donations at the Register: For the first time, Walmart customers can make a donation on behalf of their local Feeding America food bank at the register during checkout.

Click here to learn more about the campaign.