While the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign runs for a limited time each spring, year-round support from Walmart and Sam’s Clubs is instrumental in providing meals and hope daily to kids, families and seniors across Central Florida.
More than 80 of their stores participate in the food bank’s Retail Rescue program. This program annually rescues millions of pounds of excess fresh produce, dairy products, baked goods, frozen meat, and nonperishable foods from retailers like Walmart and Sam’s Club.
“Those donations come to our warehouse, where volunteers sort and pack them for our feeding partners to distribute to the community,” Derrick said.
Last year, Walmart and Sam’s Club donated 22 million pounds of food, enough for 18.3 million meals, to help feed families in Central Florida.
“That’s meals on someone’s table,” said Judie Kellogg, Retail Rescue Program Manager. “It changes your life. It gives you that little spark that you can keep going and knowing that there are people behind you, that Walmart and Sam’s are behind you. It definitely puts a smile on your face at the end of the day.”
Bill Merz, the Director of Higher Calling Food Pantry, said the food donations his organization picks up from Sam’s Club to distribute to neighbors are nutritious and fresh.
“It’s quality produce; it’s first-class merchandise,” he said. “It’s things that people would want to purchase themselves if they were going to a store.”
Higher Calling is just one of Second Harvest’s feeding partners that receives rescued food from Walmart and Sam’s Club, Bill said.
“I’m so impressed by what they donate on a week-to-week basis,” he said. “And I’m just one organization. This happens every day of the week.”
The collective effort of Walmart, Sam’s Club, their shoppers, volunteers, feeding partners and our caring community is the backbone of the fight against hunger. This collective effort makes a significant difference in the lives of Central Floridians facing hunger.
Beyond food donations, Walmart and Sam’s Club’s financial support through grants and initiatives like the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign empowers Second Harvest to provide even more meals to close the unmet gap of need for food assistance in Central Florida.
By purchasing qualifying products, rounding up at the register or donating online, shoppers can be part of the annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign now through March 31.
“Every dollar raised through the campaign at your local store stays here in Central Florida and can provide four meals,” Second Harvest CEO Derrick Chubbs said.
Last year’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign generated over $300,000 and provided enough food for 1.2 million meals to Central Florida neighbors.
“Without Walmart and Sam’s Club, Second Harvest would not be able to make as big of an impact in the fight against hunger,” Derrick Chubbs said. “Thank you for fighting hunger and sparking change.”
