Milwaukee community raises $289K for Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin

The campaign raised more than $19.8 million nationwide to support Feeding America and its nationwide network of food banks.

Walmart announced that Milwaukee residents generated a total of $289,268.76 for Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin to help fight hunger in eastern Wisconsin. Walmart’s “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign encouraged people across the nation to take action against hunger and help families in need through simple acts of support online, in-store purchases and donations.

The “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign called on the public to take action and help fight hunger from April 17 to May 15 by sharing campaign messages via social media, donating to local Feeding America food banks in-store at the Walmart register or purchasing select products that triggered a donation.

In eastern Wisconsin, 1 in 7 people, and 1 in 5 children, face hunger daily, and the problem affects every community across the United States. Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin serves more than 36 counties where 444,890[1] people face hunger.

“We thank all those who took part in the “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign and helped provide meals for individuals who are in need within our own community,” Patti Habeck, president of Feeding America. “Most people think to donate to food banks during the holiday season, but thanks to the “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign we can address this issue during the spring and summer months when donations are often lowest. We’re delighted with this year’s campaign results and the funds we receive will help us ensure children have healthy food to eat this summer so they can return to school in the fall well-nourished and ready to learn, grow and succeed.”

“This campaign is a great example of our long-standing commitment to hunger relief and our dedication to ensuring that families have access to affordable, nutritious and sustainably grown food,” said Kathleen McLaughlin, president of the Walmart Foundation and chief sustainability officer for Walmart. “Together with Feeding America, our suppliers and customers, we continue to work in the communities we serve to make a real difference for those who are struggling with hunger.”

The “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign is part of Walmart’s larger commitment to provide meals to those in need, helping ensure every family has access to affordable, nutritious and sustainably-grown food. In October 2014, Walmart announced a commitment to create a more sustainable food system, with a focus on improving the affordability of food by lowering the “true cost” of food for both customers and the environment, increasing access to food, making healthier eating easier, and improving the safety and transparency of the food chain. This commitment includes a goal of providing four billion meals to those in need in the U.S. by 2020.