Dallas, TX, April 22, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- One in eight Americans in communities across the U.S. struggle with hunger, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including 1 in every 4 children in North Texas. To raise awareness and combat the issue, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Feeding America® and the North Texas Food Bank are kicking off its sixth annual nationwide “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” (FHSC) campaign, which will run from April 22 to May 20. 

In partnership with the North Texas Food Bank, Walmart and Sam’s Club now invite North Texas shoppers to help fight hunger in their local community. There are three ways to participate – purchasing a participating item in-store or Online, donating in-store or donating on Feeding America’s website. 

With 749 million meals achieved over the last five years nationally, North Texas customers and members can help the Feeding America network secure its 1 billion cumulative meals goal in three ways. They can track the number of meals by visiting www.walmart.com/fighthunger. 

• For every participating product purchased at U.S. Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs or on Walmart.com during the campaign, the supplier will donate the monetary equivalent of at least one meal ($0.10) on behalf of a Feeding America member food bank, up to applicable limits.
• Donate money to your local Feeding America food bank at participating Sam’s Club and Walmart stores in the U.S.
• Donate at feedingamerica.org/Walmart.

Walmart kickstarted the campaign with a $3 million donation to Feeding America and member food banks including the North Texas Food Bank. A purchase of one of the 267 participating items helps secure the equivalent of one meal. Each Walmart and Sam’s Club will partner with at least one Feeding America local food bank, and the 18 participating suppliers include: Bush Brothers, Campbell’s, Conagra Brands, Cliff Bar, General Mills, Gold Peak Tea, Great Value, Hidden Valley, JM Smucker, Kellogg, Kraft Heinz, McCormick, Motts, PepsiCo, Post, Uncle Ben’s, Nature Nate’s Honey and Unilever. 

“We are incredibly grateful for the funds this campaign raised during this very crucial time of year,” said Trisha Cunningham, President and CEO of the North Texas Food Bank. “This campaign helps increase awareness about the issue of hunger in America, and also allows us to provide meals for the thousands of hungry children, seniors and families in North Texas who may be going hungry this summer due to high electric bills or lack of access to school-funded meals.”

“As we go into our sixth year of the ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change.’ campaign, it’s exciting to approach the 1 billion mark in terms of charitable meals secured for Feeding America over the life of the program,” said Kathleen McLaughlin, chief sustainability officer for Walmart. “Food insecurity continues to affect communities across the United States. Working with Feeding America, our customers, members, associates and suppliers, Walmart and Sam’s Club aim to be part of the solution.”

Last year, the North Texas Food Bank received more than $235,000 from Walmart and Sam’s Club’s thanks to their commitment to fighting hunger. To learn more about the campaign visit www.walmart.com/fighthunger.

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About Walmart Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 275 million customers and members visit our more than 11,300 stores under 58 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2019 revenue of $514.4 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.

About Feeding America Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 46 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses, and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. 

About the North Texas Food Bank
The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a top-ranked nonprofit hunger-relief organization with its primary distribution center in Plano, and administrative headquarters located in the Dallas Farmers Market. Each day, NTFB provides access to more than 190,000 meals for hungry children, seniors, and families through a network of more than 1,000 programs and more than 200 Partner Agencies. In fiscal year 2018, NTFB provided access to almost 72 million nutritious meals. While the NTFB is making steady progress toward closing the hunger gap, much work remains to be done to reach the organization's 10-year goal of providing 92 million nutritious meals annually by 2025.

Anna Kurian
North Texas Food Bank 
214-270-2059
annak@ntfb.org