Walmart to contribute $1 million
All food and monetary donations raised stay local to support Food Banks Canada's affiliate food banks and agencies from coast-to-coast.
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Feb. 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Everyone faces choices every day, but no family should have to choose between food and shelter or other necessities. Today, Walmart Canada launched its third annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change. national fundraising campaign calling on Canadians to join the fight against hunger. Running from February 14 – March 13, Walmart is setting out to raise enough funds to secure 13 million meals for Canadian families in need through Food Banks Canada and its network of more than 600 affiliated food banks. Together with customers, associates and vendors, the Fight Hunger. Spark Change, campaign has provided 20 million meals over the past two years.
"Walmart Canada is committed to supporting the fight against food insecurity in Canada and providing access to good, safe food in communities across the country," said Lee Tappenden, president and CEO of Walmart Canada. "We share Food Banks Canada's vision of a Canada where no one goes hungry and are proud to work alongside our vendors, customers and associates to make a concerted effort to help overcome food insecurity."
Customers are invited to join in the fight against hunger with Walmart, its vendor partners and Food Banks Canada. Customers can participate in four ways:
- Purchase participating products: For every purchase (in-store and online at walmart.ca) of select products, participating brands will donate a portion of the proceeds to Food Banks Canada, up to a maximum of $1.35 million. Partners include: Canada Bread, Catelli Foods, ConAgra, Dare, Ferrero Canada, Hershey, Lassonde, Maple Leaf Foods, French's, Mondelez, Nestle Waters, Old Dutch Foods, Smuckers, Starbucks and Unilever.
- Donate at the register: Customers will also be offered the opportunity to round up their purchase at the register to the nearest dollar. Funds donated will be matched by Walmart Canada, up to a maximum of $820,000. All funds stay local – donations made in store by customers and matching support from Walmart Canada will support local food banks.
- Donate online at walmart.ca: Customers can add $1, $2 or $5 donation to their online shopping cart.
- Drop off food donations: Walmart stores will be accepting non-perishable food donations for local food banks. A donation bin can be found at the front of each store.
Walmart is also donating $100,000 to Food Banks Canada's retail food program. Walmart stores are paired with local community food banks to provide safe, quality food, including fresh, frozen, and non-perishable foods, and consumer goods. In addition, the company is also donating $80,000 to support Food Banks Canada's National Food Sharing System, which helps to move approximately 10 million pounds of food annually.
"With the use of food banks stubbornly persistent across Canada it is now more important than ever to offer support to those who need it most, ensuring they get what they need to feed themselves and their families," said Chris Hatch, Chief Executive Officer of Food Banks Canada. "Walmart Canada has continued to champion for hunger relief through their support with this campaign and their encouragement of Canadians to donate to local food banks."
Walmart supports local food banks and hunger relief for Canadians
Today's Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign announcement builds on Walmart's continued effort to providing support for hunger relief in Canada. Walmart has a global commitment to providing meals to those in need. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are working to address food waste and food insecurity by supporting the work of the food bank network across Canada.
Since 2011, Walmart stores have donated more than 16 million pounds of food and $10.5 million to food banks across the country. Walmart stores pair with a local food bank and ensure good food is donated to those who need it most. Walmart Canada and the Walmart Foundation also support the efforts of the food bank network to help food banks keep food fresh and safe during transport and distribute it to those in the community who need it most. Ina addition, the Walmart Foundation has invested nearly $6 million to build capacity among Food Banks Canada affiliate food banks, meaning more trucks, more refrigerators and more people to get food from all sources to those who need it most. These grants from the Walmart Foundation are the first step in a multi-year, multi-million-dollar commitment to strengthen food security in Canada.
About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a chain of 410 stores nationwide serving more than 1.2 million customers each day. Walmart Canada's flagship online store, www.walmart.ca, is visited by 750,000 customers daily. With more than 85,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada's largest employers and is ranked one of the country's top 10 most influential brands. Walmart Canada's extensive philanthropy program is focused on supporting Canadian families in need, and since 1994 Walmart has raised and donated more than $350 million to Canadian charities. Additional information can be found at walmartcanada.ca, facebook.com/walmartcanada and at twitter.com/walmartcanada.
About Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada supports a unique network of over 3,500 food-related organizations in every province and territory that assists more than 860,000 Canadians each month. Together this network shares over 200 million pounds of essential safe quality food annually, provides social programs that help to foster self-sufficiency, and advocates for policy change that will help create a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit foodbankscanada.ca for more information.
SOURCE Walmart Canada
Felicia Fefer, Walmart Canada, [email protected] | 905-821-2111 x 74466; Katie Good, APEX Public Relations, [email protected] | 416-934-2112; Tania Little, Food Banks Canada, [email protected] | 905-602-5234 x 250
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