Walmart Kicks Off A Campaign To Help The Northeast Iowa Food Bank

Walmart has launched the 'Fight Hunger, Spark Change' campaign, a nationwide initiative calling on the public to take action in the fight against hunger. According to the USDA, one in six people in America struggle with hunger at some point during the year. Here in Northeast Iowa, more than 47-thousand people are food insecure.

"This spring's campaign is crucial to our collective ability to raise awareness about the issue, secure more local funds and provide greater access to more people in need in Northeast Iowa" - Executive Director Barbara Prather, Northeast Iowa Food Bank

This is the first campaign where Walmart customers can make a donation to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank at the register during checkout. In addition, Walmart customers can purchase one of 240 participating products in Walmart stores nationwide and the supplier will make a donation on behalf of the local food bank.

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank will benefit from register donations and products sold at seven Northeast Iowa Walmart stores, including Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Waverly, Independence, Manchester, Decorah and Grinnell.

The Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Feeding America and other Feeding America member food banks across the country also stand to benefit from Walmart donations based on participation in the #WeSparkChange social media challenge.

For each post showing six people who share the commitment to fight hunger, Walmart will donate $10 per post, up to $1.5 million. The pictures need to be posted on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter as a public post with the hastag #WeSparkChange.

The campaign runs through May 3, 2015. The is Walmart's 10th year partnering up with Feeding America nationally to fight against hunger and the 2nd annual 'Fight Hunger, Spark Change' campaign. Last year, the Northeast Iowa Food Bank received 60-thousand-dollars from Walmart's campaign to fight hunger.

To learn more, go to www.walmart.com/fighthunger.