Mississauga – Apr. 14, 2023 – At a time when food bank usage is at an all-time high, Walmart Canada’s 7th annual national ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change.’ campaign, raised $6.1 million, contributing the equivalent of 12 million meals to Food Banks Canada. This includes a $1.15 million corporate donation from Walmart Canada and $1.05 million donation from participating suppliers.
Walmart Canada’s mission is to save Canadians money so they can live better. This mission extends to ensuring individuals and communities have access to nutritious food.
The Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign is part of Walmart’s global commitment to provide meals to those in need. Through the campaign, Walmart helps to raise awareness and encourage Canadians to take action to strengthen communities. It’s one of many ways Walmart supports local food banks and helps to fight food insecurity.
“We all need to work together to end hunger. Walmart Canada will continue to help Canadians access healthy and nutritious food through our ongoing support of local food banks and annual campaigns like Fight Hunger. Spark Change.,” said Rob Nicol, Vice President, Communications and Corporate Affairs, Walmart Canada. “We’re proud to work with Food Banks Canada and support their efforts to reduce barriers and increase access for Canadian communities so they can be more food secure. We want to thank our customers for joining the fight, giving generously to fill plates and help us reach our goal.”
From Feb. 16 to Mar. 15, customers were invited to join in the fight against hunger by:
- Donating at the checkout or adding a cash donation to online grocery orders.
- Donating non-perishable food items at a local Walmart store.
Food Banks Canada supports a unique network of over 4,700 food-related organizations and agencies in every province and territory that assist Canadians making 1.5 million visits to food banks each month.
With the costs of food, rent, gas and other essentials at a 30-year high, families across Canada are struggling. Food banks are being stretched to their limits, struggling to keep up with demand – just as families need them more than ever.
“Eliminating food insecurity in Canada is no small undertaking,” explains Kirstin Beardsley, Chief Executive Officer, Food Banks Canada. “Thankfully, we have partners like Walmart Canada who have stepped forward to help support us with this challenge. On behalf of Food Banks Canada, the food bank network and those we serve, we are deeply thankful for Walmart Canada’s commitment and generosity through the Fight Hunger. Spark Change campaign. In these increasingly challenging times, it’s important we all work together to support those in our communities confronted by food insecurity. Every action gets us one step closer to a future where no one goes hungry.”
Every Walmart store across Canada is paired with a local food bank in their community and all funds raised stay local. Since the inception of the campaign in 2017, Walmart Canada, its suppliers and its customers have provided more than 80 million meals for people in Canada, from coast-to-coast, building on the more than 60 million pounds of food Walmart has donated to food banks to date.
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 more than 1.5 million 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 was recently recognized as a LinkedIn Top Company of 2022 and was also named one of Canada's most popular brands (based on Google searches). 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 $650 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 4,700 food banks and community agencies come together to serve our most vulnerable neighbours who – last year – made 1.3 million visits to these organizations in one month alone, according to our HungerCount report. Over the past 10 years, as a system we’ve sourced and shared over 1.4 billion pounds of food and Food Banks Canada shared nearly $168 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.
