Walmart Canada's 'Fight Hunger. Spark Change.' campaign serves up more than 15 million meals, exceeding its goal by 2 million meals

All food and monetary donations support food banks from coast-to-coast and Food Banks Canada.

MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 3, 2019 /CNW/ - Walmart Canada's third annual 'Fight Hunger. Spark Change.' national campaign secured more than 15 million meals for Canadians, surpassing its goal of 13 million meals.  The annual program calls on Canadians to join Walmart in the fight against hunger, a problem faced in communities, coast-to-coast.

From February 14 to March 13, Walmart and select suppliers partnered to raise funds to support Canadian families in need via Food Banks Canada and the network of more than 550 food banks working to feed families each day.

"Families come first for Walmart and we're proud to help our communities fight hunger in partnership with Food Banks Canada," said Lee Tappenden, president and CEO of Walmart Canada. "What could be more Canadian than the generosity shown by our customers, associates and vendor partners who work to give families the nutritious meals they need?"

Walmart is committed to help address the issue of food insecurity in Canada. The 'Fight Hunger. Spark Change.' campaign works in concert with Food Banks Canada and the food banking network to provide meals to those in need, in addition to helping reduce food waste.  Each store is paired with a local food bank to maximize food donations.

Walmart Canada has raised and donated more than $15 million since 2011 to Food Banks Canada and the food banking network and the Walmart Foundation has invested nearly $6 million to build capacity among Food Banks Canada affiliated food banks. That results in more trucks, refrigerators and people to get food from all sources to those who need it most.

About Walmart Canada
Walmart Canada operates a chain of 410 stores nationwide serving more than 1.2 million customers each day. Walmart Canada's flagship online store, www.walmart.ca, is visited by 750,000 customers daily. With more than 85,000 associates, Walmart Canada is one of Canada's largest employers and is ranked one of the country's top 10 most influential brands. Walmart Canada's extensive philanthropy program is focused on supporting Canadian families in need, and since 1994 Walmart has raised and donated more than $350 million to Canadian charities. Additional information can be found at walmartcanada.ca, facebook.com/walmartcanada and at twitter.com/walmartcanada.

About Food Banks Canada
Food Banks Canada supports a unique network of over 4,300 food-related organizations in every province and territory that assists Canadians making 1.1 million visits to food banks on a monthly basis. Together this network shares over 200 million pounds of essential safe quality food annually, provides social programs that help to foster self-sufficiency, and advocates for policy change that will help create a Canada where no one goes hungry. Visit foodbankscanada.ca for more information.

SOURCE Walmart Canada

Felicia Fefer, Walmart Canada, [email protected] | 905-821-2111 x 74466; Katie Good, APEX Public Relations, [email protected] | 416-934-2112; Tania Little, Food Banks Canada, [email protected] | 905-602-5234 x 250