Lansing Sam’s Club Partners with GLFB to Cut Down on Food Waste
According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2021 report From Farm to Kitchen: The Environmental Impacts of U.S. Food Waste, researchers estimate about 35 percent of the United States food supply is wasted. Startlingly, this wasted food contains enough calories to feed 150 million people each year – more than four times the estimated number of individuals facing food insecurity in the United States.
Feeding America is considered the country’s largest food rescue organization as food banks like Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) work closely with grocery stores, farmers and food manufacturers to rescue food and deliver it to our neighbors facing hunger.
Walmart and Sam’s Club are two of GLFB’s partners in this work. In 2022, Walmart and Sam’s Club stores in our service area donated more than 700,000 meals to GLFB to be redistributed to neighbors facing hunger in mid-Michigan.
“Knowing that the items we donate go directly to those in our community who need it the most is the best feeling,” shares Raquel Rocha-Cilwa, Club Manager at our local Lansing Sam’s Club. Raquel works closely with her team to ensure they understand the guidelines for donating to GLFB and the meaningful impact of being able to redistribute food items so they don’t end up in landfills.
“Last year my management team had the opportunity to volunteer with a GLFB mobile food distribution here in the community,” Raquel reflects, “to watch hundreds of cars being loaded with items really shows the need in the community and it’s extremely heartwarming to know that GLFB is able to offer a variety of items to members or organizations in the greater Lansing area.”
When you participate in the Walmart and Sam’s Club Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign, you too can help neighbors facing hunger gain access to the food and resources they need to thrive. Donate at Feeding America’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign donation site at www.FeedingAmerica.org/SamsClub.
Thank you to all who participate, when we partner with a purpose, we can share meals with neighbors across mid-Michigan!
