Vermont Foodbank, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Feeding America Launch
“Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” Campaign to Combat Hunger in Vermont

Barre, VT– One in eight Americans in communities across the U.S. struggle with hunger, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, including 153,000 people in Vermont. To raise awareness and combat the issue, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Feeding America® and the Vermont Foodbank are kicking off the sixth annual nationwide “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” (FHSC) campaign, which will run through May 20.

In partnership with the Vermont Foodbank, Walmart and Sam’s Club now invite Vermont 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, Vermont 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 kick-started the campaign with a $3 million donation to Feeding America and member food banks including the Vermont Foodbank. 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.

“The issue of hunger is far too large for us to solve alone. It is only with the generous support of partners in our community, businesses, and individuals that we can ensure that everyone in our state has the food they need to thrive,” says Vermont Foodbank CEO, John Sayles. “Fight Hunger. Spark Change. is an excellent way for everyone to get involved and give back. We’re thrilled to be a part of this campaign to raise 1 billion meals for people facing hunger!”

“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 Vermont Foodbank benefited from more than $190,000 dollars from Walmart and Sam’s Club’s commitment to fight hunger. Here in Vermont, the Vermont Foodbank is leveraging this year’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign to raise awareness about the issue of hunger among veterans.

18% of the households served by the Vermont Foodbank have a family member who has served in the US Military. Too often veterans return from service struggling with injuries and both mental and physical health issues. They often confront challenges finding good-paying work and too many find themselves unemployed, homeless, and food insecure. Through the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign, the Vermont Foodbank is partnering with local Walmart stores to host events and raise awareness about this issue, while giving people ways to take action to end it.
To learn more about the campaign visit www.walmart.com/fighthunger.