Mississauga, ON, February 11, 2021 – Walmart Canada is kicking off its annual national ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change.’ campaign today to drive attention to the food security crisis in Canada. From now until March 10, the company hopes to raise enough funds to provide 10 million meals for Canadians in need[1] through Food Banks Canada.
Before the pandemic, levels of food insecurity were already at an all-time high, with 4.4 million
Canadians having difficulty being able to afford food[2]. This means that more than 11% of Canadian families had been without physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food[3].
For the fifth consecutive year of the ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change.’ campaign, Walmart wants to remind Canadians how much they have already helped in the fight against food insecurity. Since the inception of the campaign in 2017, Walmart Canada, its suppliers and its customers have provided 50 million meals for people in Canada, from coast-to-coast. This year, Walmart is matching customer donations, up to a maximum of $820,000.
“The pandemic is continuing to have a enormous impact on all Canadians, including our most vulnerable. At Walmart Canada, it’s our responsibility to give back and help raise funds to provide millions of meals for those in need,” said Horacio Barbeito, president and CEO of Walmart Canada. “We are very grateful to our loyal Walmart customers and suppliers. Together, we’re all helping those less fortunate in our communities across the country.”
How the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. Campaign gives back
Walmart has committed up to a $1 million donation to Food Banks Canada through the campaign. This commitment includes:
· A corporate match of in-store customer donations, up to a maximum of $820,000
· $100,000 to Food Banks Canada’s retail food program, which allows food banks to pick up donations from any retail location
· $80,000 to support Food Banks Canada’s National Food Sharing System, which helps to acquire and share approximately 27 million pounds of food annually.
Walmart is inviting customers to join in the fight against hunger. For every purchase (in-store and online at walmart.ca) of select products, a donation will be made to Food Banks Canada, up to a maximum of $1.2 million. Partners include: Mars Canada, KraftHeinz, Kellogg’s, Conagra, Maple Leaf, General Mills, Dare, Pepsi, Mondelez, Ferrero, Coca Cola, Unilever, Grupo Bimbo.
Canadians can also contribute by donating non-perishable food items in-store at their local Walmart or by adding a cash donation to online grocery orders.
“We are grateful to Walmart Canada, who has been an integral partner in our fight against food insecurity for over 20 years. The pandemic has been a particularly hard for food banks and Canadian families dealing with hunger,” said Chris Hatch, Chief Executive Officer of Food Banks Canada. “Federal funding initiatives, along with tremendous support from businesses, foundations, individuals, and local communities, have enabled local food banks to survive throughout this period. Walmart Canada remains a long-standing partner in helping us achieve our mission of a Canada where no one goes hungry.”
Walmart Canada fights food insecurity directly with local food banks
Today's fifth annual ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change.’ campaign announcement builds on Walmart’s continued efforts to support for Canadians in need. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are working to address surplus food use and food insecurity by supporting the work of the food bank network across Canada.
Since the campaign launched in 2017, Walmart Canada has raised 50 million meals for Canadians coast-to-coast, building on the more than 25 million pounds of food Walmart has donated to food banks across the country over many years. Walmart stores across Canada pair up with food banks in their communities to ensure quality food is provided 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 transportation and distribution within the community. In addition, the Walmart Foundation has invested nearly $6 million to build capacity among Food Banks Canada’s 630 affiliate food banks, leading to 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 next step in a multi-year, multi-million-dollar commitment to strengthen food security across Canada.
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About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a chain of more than 400 stores nationwide serving 1.5 million customers each day. Walmart Canada's flagship online store, Walmart.ca is visited by 900,000 customers daily. With more than 100,000 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 Canada has raised and donated more than $500 million to Canadian charities. Additional information can be found at walmartcanada.ca and on Walmart Canada’s social media pages – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada provides national leadership to relieve hunger today and prevent hunger tomorrow in collaboration with the food bank network from coast-to-coast-to-coast. For 40 years, food banks have been dedicated to helping Canadians living with food insecurity. Over 3,000 food banks and community agencies come together to serve our most vulnerable neighbours who – last year – made 1.1 million visits to these organizations in one month alone, according to our HungerCount report. Since 2010, as a system we’ve sourced and shared almost 1.5 billion pounds of food and Food Banks Canada shared over $100 million in funding to help maximize collective impact and strengthen local capacity – while advocating for reducing the need for food banks. Our vision is clear: create a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit http://www.foodbankscanada.ca/ to learn more or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn
[1] Goal is based on total supplier, customer and Walmart contributions received during the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign. The approx. cost to Food Banks Canada to secure a meal for those in need is $0.33. Goal is an estimate based on available data.
[2] Food Banks Canada. A Snapshot of Food Banks in Canada and the COVID-19 Crisis. 2020
[3] https://www.foodbankscanada.ca/Blog/May-2020/Majority-of-Canadians-believe-that-hunger-and-food.aspx
