Atlanta Community Food Bank Teams With Walmart, Feeding America to "Fight Hunger. Spark Change."

ATLANTA, Sept. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The public can help the Atlanta Community Food Bank win a $60,000 grant from Walmart as part of "Fight Hunger. Spark Change." A nationwide campaign that has been launched at food banks across the country.

Now through October 5, customers can visit www.walmart.com/fighthunger to cast one vote per day that will help direct funds to participating Feeding America food banks – like the Atlanta Community Food Bank - and local partner agencies. The 50 winning food banks will each receive a $60,000 grant. Cracking the top 50 would mean an extra 240,000 meals that Atlanta Community Food Bank could provide to struggling families.

As part of the initiative, Walmart has teamed up with acclaimed chef, cookbook author and host, G. Garvin, who visited Atlanta Community Food Bank Sep. 24 to raise campaign awareness and promote the cause of solving hunger.

"One of my biggest passions as a chef is showing people how simple it can be to make healthy and delicious meals for their families," said Chef Garvin. "Walmart's 'Fight Hunger. Spark Change.' campaign is making it simple and fun for the public to get involved and will help ensure all families have access to the healthy and nutritious food they need. I could not be more proud to support a cause that matters so much to so many."

The campaign initiative will provide a total of $3.7 million to Feeding America and participating food banks and local partner agencies that provide hunger relief to millions of people in need of food assistance. The campaign launches during a critical time in our nation when food banks are facing a growing need for donations due to historically high rates of food insecurity.

"All across our community, people are struggling to make ends meet. Working families and those facing medical issues or difficult circumstances are having trouble finding enough food. Helping those folks meet a basic need helps us all. It enables people to get back on their feet and lets our community get on about the business of thriving," said Bill Bolling, Executive Director of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. "We'd like to ask for your help in casting a vote to fight hunger."

Across metro Atlanta, people struggling with hunger continues to be a problem. In Georgia, 1 in 4 children live in food insecure households. Each year, 1 in 7.5 people in the Food Bank's 29-county service area in metro Atlanta and North Georgia turn to food pantries and meal service programs for help. 

And it's a problem nationwide.  According to Feeding America's recently released Hunger in America 2014 report, one in seven Americans (46.5 million), including 12 million children, turn to network food banks for food assistance. To help meet this need, Walmart is teaming up with six of the nation's largest food companies – including General Mills, Unilever, Hormel, ConAgra Foods, PepsiCo/Quaker and Kellogg Company – to support food banks and local partner agencies across the country.

"Hunger remains a serious issue in our country as millions of Americans don't know where their next meal will come from. By engaging our associates, customers and suppliers in the fight against hunger, we can make a positive impact on this issue and ensure families have access to the healthier and nutritious food they need," said Kathleen McLaughlin, president of the Walmart Foundation and senior vice president of Walmart Sustainability. "Through this initiative, we're giving everyone in America the opportunity to make a difference by simply voting online for their local food bank."

Through the initiative, the monetary equivalent of more than 37 million meals[i] will be donated to Feeding America food banks and local agencies throughout the United States.

"At Feeding America, we believe no one in America should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from so we are proud to continue our partnership with Walmart to help make this vision a reality," said Bob Aiken, CEO of Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization. "Through this initiative, Walmart, along with its associates, customers and suppliers will make a lasting impact in helping to reduce hunger in America."

The Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign is just one step towards Walmart's larger commitment to provide meals to those in need, and give more people access to nutrition education.  As part of that commitment, Walmart is also working to ensure the food donated is fresh and a healthier alternative.

To participate in the voting campaign, learn more about the program, including details on participating products, visit www.walmart.com/fighthunger.

About the Atlanta Community Food Bank

The Atlanta Community Food Bank (ACFB) began operating in 1979 from a small space at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. ACFB now distributes more than 50 million pounds of food and grocery products each year from a 129,600 square-foot facility in N.W. Atlanta. The product is accessed by 600 partner nonprofits that provide food assistance to families and individuals in 29 counties across metro Atlanta and north Georgia. ACFB leads seven distinct projects that reinforce its mission to fight hunger by engaging, educating and empowering our community: Atlanta Prosperity Campaign, Atlanta's Table, Community Gardens, Hunger 101, Hunger Walk/Run, Kids In Need and Product Rescue Center.

ACFB is a member of Feeding America, the national network of more than 200 food banks. For more information on the Food Bank, visit www.acfb.org, and for more information on Feeding America visit www.feedingamerica.org.

About Philanthropy at Walmart  

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts that draw on the strengths of Walmart in the arenas of sustainability, economic opportunity, and community. As part of our commitment to creating a more sustainable food system worldwide, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States. They recently exceeded a $2 billion commitment to fight hunger one year ahead of schedule and have donated more than 1.5 billion pounds of food to those in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart's giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.

[i] In January 2014, Walmart donated the monetary equivalent of 33 million meals ($3.3 million) to Feeding America. In September 2014, the six participating food companies (General Mills, Unilever, Hormel, ConAgra Foods, PepsiCo/Quaker and Kellogg Company) have collectively pledged to donate the monetary equivalent of 4.26 million meals ($426,000). $1 helps provide 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks.

SOURCE Atlanta Community Food Bank

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