Say what you will about Walmart – and who doesn’t? – It’s a good corporate citizen. The Canadian branch of the mega-retailer is donating $1,000,000 to Food Banks Canada, marking 15 years of partnership with the ever more-crucial relief program…
Food Banks Canada and Walmart Canada are launching their ‘2026 Fight Hunger. Spark Change.’ campaign. It’s the largest a national fundraising effort to strengthen local food banks and support people across country facing food insecurity.
Ongoing commitment
To kick off the 10th campaign, Walmart Canada is contributing $1 million, reinforcing its commitment to helping food banks meet growing demand in communities across the country.
“Over the years, Walmart Canada’s unwavering support has been a lifeline for those facing food insecurity, bringing comfort in times of uncertainty and restoring hope when it’s needed most,” said Kirstin Beardsley, Chief Executive Officer, Food Banks Canada. “Thank you to the entire Walmart Canada team for 10 years of Fight Hunger. Spark Change. Your partnership over the last decade has made a meaningful difference in communities across the country.”
“Fight Hunger. Spark Change. is powered by the passion of our associates and the generosity of our customers,” said Rob Nicol, Walmart’s Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Communications. “For 10 years, they’ve come together to support their local food bank through fundraising and donations. As we mark this milestone and 15 years of partnership with Food Banks Canada, we’re incredibly proud to keep showing up for communities across Canada.”
Unprecedented need
“Over 5,500 food banks and community organizations come together to serve our most vulnerable neighbours, who — this year — made close to 2.2 million visits to these organizations in one month alone, according to our HungerCount report,” Food Banks Canada says, in the news release.
“Since 2010, Food Banks Canada has shared over $1 billion in food supports and over $275 million in funding to help maximize collective impact and strengthen local capacity–while, backed by leading research, advocating for meaningful actions from governments to counter hunger and its root causes. Our vision is clear: create a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit foodbankscanada.ca to learn more.”
Many ways to help
Shoppers can do their part to help their less-fortunate neighbours in a number of ways. You can ask the checkout clerk to round-up your purchase total and donate the difference. You can also help fill the food donation boxes at almost every supermarket in town. And you can donate cash directly online.
My take
If you only give to one charity this year, make it your community Food Bank. By donating food, cash or even by volunteering, you can help ensure that less fortunate folks in your town get enough de-cent food to more than just survive.
It doesn’t appear that food prices will be coming down significantly any time soon. We at ground level must continue to make up for the damage the greed of the supermarket cartel and the inaction of our governments at all levels have done to our society.
~ Maggie J.