Riverside and San Bernardino Counties helped to raise $125,914 for local families in need through Walmart and Sam’s Club’s “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign. In its seventh year, Walmart and Sam’s Club engaged their customers and members, along with 22 suppliers to fight hunger during this challenging time and support local food banks across the country, which in the Inland Empire, helped to support Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino.
“The fight against hunger has never been more important than now. Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) is committed to serving our neighbors in need every day but we’ve seen more people in our community struggle with hunger as a result of the pandemic. That is why we are incredibly grateful for Walmart, Sam’s Club, their associates, suppliers and everyone in our community who helped to support the ‘Fight Hunger. Spark Change.’ campaign,” said Stephanie Otero, CEO at FARSB.
Each Walmart and Sam’s Club was matched with at least one of the 200 local Feeding America® member food banks.
Funds generated through this campaign are going towards FARSB’s emergency response efforts, which, from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic to now have provided nearly 10 million meals to neighbors facing chronic food-insecurity as well as those who were, and still are, facing food insecurity for the first time.
“This year’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign is especially critical given the great need communities are facing,” said Maria Zazycki, Senior Manager, Walmart.org. “We are incredibly proud of the way our customers, members, suppliers and associates stepped up to support local Feeding America member food banks that are working so hard.”
Walmart and Sam’s Club provide donations of both food and funds to Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino. Over the years, the company has provided additional grant opportunities, event sponsorships, store granted gifts, and valuable volunteer hours to further commit to serving the Inland Empire community.
Nearly $18 million was raised this year through “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” Funds will benefit 200 Feeding America® member food banks nationwide. Additionally, Walmart kick-started the campaign with a $3 million donation to Feeding America and member food banks. The Walmart Foundation also donated $5 million to Feeding America to help support communities and individuals facing hunger during the COVID-19 outbreak.
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