LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Arkansans shopping at Walmart or Sam’s Club can help support families facing food insecurity through a new round of fundraising tied to everyday purchases, according to the Arkansas Food Bank.
The Arkansas Food Bank has launched the “Fight Hunger, Spark Change” campaign in partnership with Walmart and Sam’s Club. The effort is part of Walmart’s national campaign through Feeding America, now in its 13th year.
Lauryn Durby, community engagement coordinator for the Arkansas Foodbank explained that during the campaign, customers can choose to round up their purchase total at the register. Donations are also generated through purchases of participating products. At Walmart, 28 brands are included, and 10 cents from each qualifying purchase goes back to the Arkansas Food Bank. Examples of participating brands mentioned include Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper, Keurig and General Mills.
At Sam’s Club, eight brands are participating, including Hershey’s, Coca-Cola, Dr Pepper and Keurig. For those purchases, 50 cents goes back to the Arkansas Food Bank.
Arkansas Food Bank representatives said the partnership can have a significant impact because donations stretch further. “Every dollar donated to the food bank actually stretches to provide five meals for families in need,” Kate Jenkins, director of marketing at the Arkansas Foodbank, said. Jenkins also noted that last year Walmart donated $188,000 through the “Fight Hunger, Spark Change” campaign.
Beyond donating at the register or through purchases, the Arkansas Food Bank is also encouraging people to volunteer, especially with summer approaching. Students looking for volunteer hours can help at the Food bank. Volunteers who are 16 years of age or older can volunteer on their own, while younger volunteers can participate with an adult.
Jenkins emphasized how food insecurity remains a pressing issue in April, the Food Bank said, noting that “one in five Arkansans face food insecurity,” and that the rate is worse for children at “one in four.” The Arkansas Food Bank said it works with more than 400 partner agencies that distribute 40 million pounds of food a year.
More information about the campaign, volunteering and other ways to help is available online.
Jenkins also pointed to moments like the government shutdown as times when awareness and community support increased, saying it was “really cool to see neighbors step up and help their neighbors, specifically, because we all rise together.”
