Three days remaining in 'Fight Hunger' campaign

PONDERAY — There area just three days left in the Fight Hunger Spark Change campaign to combat hunger in the region.

A partnership between Walmart, Sam’s Club, Feeding America and Second Harvest, the sixth annual national campaign ends Monday, May 20.

Money raised through the campaign go to help fund Second Harvest efforts to get food to where it’s need most. One avenue to do that is through our Mobile Market, which includes stops throughout the region. The other one of course is to stock your local food bank.

“Walmart actually funds several Mobile Markets a year independent from their national Fight Hunger Spark Change campaign,” Julie Humphreys, community relationship manager for Second Harvest, said. “We love that so many of their associates volunteer to work the Mobile Market..that’s why you see the Walmart logo on employee T-shirts.”

One in eight Americans in communities across the U.S. struggle with hunger, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That number holds true in the Inland Northwest and includes one in five children.

There are three ways to participate int he Fight Hunter Spark Change campaign — purchasing a participating item in-store or online, donating in-store or donating on Feeding America’s website.

With 749 million meals achieved over the last five years, Walmart customers in the Inland Northwest can help the Feeding America network secure its 1 billion cumulative meals goal through the three ways listed below. They can track the number of meals secured by visiting walmart.com/fighthunger.

Walmart kickstarted the campaign with a $3 million donation to Feeding America and member food banks, including Second Harvest. A purchase of one of the 267 participating items helps secure the equivalent of one meal.

Each Walmart and Sam’s Club will partner with at least one Feeding America local food bank, and the 18 participating suppliers include: Bush Brothers, Campbell’s, Conagra Brands, Cliff Bar, General Mills, Gold Peak Tea, Great Value, Hidden Valley, JM Smucker, Kellogg, Kraft Heinz, McCormick, Motts, PepsiCo, Post, Uncle Ben’s, Nature Nate’s Honey and Unilever.

Last year, Second Harvest benefited from more than $150,000 from Walmart and Sam’s Club’s commitment to fight hunger. That generosity provided food for 750,000 meals for people in need in communities throughout the Inland Northwest.

“We were honored and humbled to receive this very generous gift and others in previous years. Walmart Inc. is truly fighting hunger in a big way with donations that are feeding thousands of the most vulnerable people in our communities,” said Humphreys.

Information: walmart.com/fighthunger