Northern Illinois Food Bank teams with Walmart, Feeding America to "Fight Hunger. Spark Change"

The public can help Northern Illinois Food Bank win a $60,000 grant from Walmart as part of “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” a nationwide campaign that launched this week at food banks across the country. The 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.

From September 15 through October 5, customers can visit www.walmart.com/fighthunger to cast one vote per day that will help direct funds to Northern Illinois Food Bank and select local partner agencies such as St. John Lutheran Food Pantry in Joliet. The 50 winning food banks will each receive a $60,000 grant. The campaign also provides information on how customers can donate or volunteer to take a direct action in the fight against hunger in their local communities.

The campaign launches during a critical time in our nation when food banks are facing a growing need for donations due historically high rates of food insecurity. Here in northern Illinois, hungry neighbors are at risk of skipping 70 million meals per year.

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.”

Northern Illinois Food Bank leads the northern Illinois community in solving hunger by providing nutritious meals to those in need through innovative programs and partnerships. Since 1983, food manufacturers, local groceries, corporations, foundations, and individuals have come together to donate food and funds, and evaluate and repack food for distribution to 800 community food pantries and feeding programs serving more than 71,000 hungry neighbors each week across 13 counties. That commitment provided 50 million meals to those in need in FY14. Find out how you can Volunteer, Donate and Get Involved at www.SolveHungerToday.org or follow us on Facebook or Twitter.