From Food Bank of the Albemarle

ELIZABETH CITY — This week, Wal-Mart launched its “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign, a nationwide initiative calling on the public to take action in the fight against hunger.

The Feeding America nationwide network of 200 food banks, of which Food Bank of the Albemarle is a member, stands to benefit from the campaign goal to secure at least 100 million meals for Feeding America food banks across the country.

“Food Bank of the Albemarle appreciates Wal-Mart’s ongoing commitment to fight against, and help raise awareness of, the issue of hunger in America,” said Liz Reasoner, executive director. “This campaign, now in its 11th year, will help secure more local funds for the Food Bank and ultimately provide the food that is desperately needed for the hungry men, women and children in our communities.”

Working with customers, Discover and five of its national suppliers — Campbell Soup Co., General Mills, Kellogg Co., the Kraft Heinz Co. and PepsiCo — Wal-Mart is offering three easy ways for residents to take action against hunger and help families in their own communities through social, online and in-store participation.

1. Purchase: For every participating product purchased at U.S. Wal-Mart stores from April 17–May 15, the supplier will donate the equivalent of one meal ($0.09) on behalf of a Feeding America member food bank, up to applicable limits. For every Discover card transaction made at Wal-Mart and Walmart.com during the campaign period, Discover will donate the equivalent of one meal ($0.09) to Feeding America and its network of member food banks, up to $1 million. See Walmart.com/fighthunger for further details.

2. Online acts of support: Generate meals for Feeding America food banks by engaging with the “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign on social media:

• Facebook – Create original content that uses #FightHunger; like, share and/or react positively to campaign content; click on Wal-Mart-provided campaign content.
• Instagram – Create or share content using the campaign hashtag #FightHunger; like or share Wal-Mart-generated campaign content.
• Snapchat – Use Wal-Mart-provided “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” filters.
• Twitter – Create original content that uses #FightHunger; like, share and/or make a campaign tweet a favorite; retweet a message featuring the campaign hashtag #FightHunger; click on Wal-Mart-provided campaign content.

For each online act of support, Wal-Mart will help secure 10 meals (an equivalent of $0.90) for Feeding America on behalf of member food banks, up to $1.5 million.

3. Donate at the register: Donate to a Feeding America member food bank at the register during checkout.

With the USDA reporting that 1 in 8 people in America struggles with hunger, the “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign comes at a critical time. In Food Bank of the Albemarle’s 15-county service area, nearly 60,000 people may not know where they will find their next meal.

“This campaign is an important part of our ongoing commitment to helping families who struggle with hunger,” said Kathleen McLaughlin, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation and chief sustainability officer for Wal-Mart. “Together with suppliers, customers and friends at Feeding America, we’re dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of those who live and work in the communities we serve.”

This is Wal-Mart’s 11th year working with Feeding America nationally to fight hunger and the fourth-annual “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign.

To learn more about the issue of hunger in northeastern North Carolina, visit www.afoodbank.org. To learn more about the “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign, visit www.walmart.com/fighthunger.