For Milton, Ont. Store Manager Nishali Kumar, giving back is a value that started at home.
“From my grandparents to my mom, they have always instilled in me: ‘Don’t waste.’ You have to give back what was given to you,” she said.
It’s a philosophy that resonates with Nishali’s work at Walmart Canada. Through programs that redirect safe surplus food to local food banks and community organizations, Walmart Canada helps keep good food in use while supporting people in need. Over the past decade, those efforts have helped provide more than 100 million meals to people across Canada, based on Food Banks Canada reporting.
Over the course of her 10 years with Walmart Canada, Nishali has seen that impact firsthand.
While managing the Port Credit Walmart, Nishali became passionate about redirecting safe surplus food to the local food bank to help support families in the community and reduce waste. Seeing how donated food was put to use also showed her the difference these efforts could make beyond the store.
“When we do this, we’re really changing lives out there,” Nishali said. “When I hear about the numbers of food banks and how many families have been given meals, it makes it very fulfilling as a human being.”
Across Walmart Canada, efforts like these help connect safe surplus food with food banks and community organizations serving people in need. Walmart is part of Food Banks Canada’s Retail Food Program, which connects each of Walmart Canada’s more than 400 stores and facilities across the country with nearby food banks to facilitate regular food donations.
As of June 2026, Walmart Canada has donated more than 105 million pounds of safe surplus food and products to Food Banks Canada since 2012. Based on reports provided by Food Banks Canada, Walmart Canada donated approximately 12.3 million pounds of safe surplus food and products in calendar year 2025 alone.
“Walmart Canada’s partnership has been transformational in providing food and funds to food banks,” said Erin McAllister, Director, National Food Acquisition, Food Banks Canada.
The impact of that partnership extends beyond food donations. Through Walmart Canada’s annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign, customers can support local food banks, with every dollar raised staying in the community. One hundred per cent of funds raised are directed to the local food bank partnered with each Walmart store.
Walmart’s commitment to reducing food waste and fighting food insecurity continues to make an important difference for food banks and the communities they serve across Canada.
Now managing Walmart Canada’s Milton store, Nishali is proud to be part of those efforts at the local level. For her, the experience has reinforced a simple lesson about community involvement and the power of giving back. She shares, “That small act could make a very big impact that you might not even know.”
