The simple shared vision of a hunger-free community helps even more neighbors receive the nutritious food they need. As the number of households seeking support from Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB) and our network of partners continue to grow, our community’s support and commitment to ending hunger in mid-Michigan is essential to the success of our work.
This time last year, a record number of households sought support from GLFB and our partner network. In the short few months of 2024, we are already seeing a 4 percent increase in households from last year. Stores like Walmart and Sam’s Club® have long partnered alongside GLFB and the Feeding America network, donating food that helps enable us to meet this growing need amongst our neighbors.
Since 2014, Walmart and Sam’s Club have teamed up with Feeding America through the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign to generate more than 186 million meals across the nation. This campaign strengthens the relationship GLFB has with Walmarts and Sam’s Clubs across our service area that donate food to GLFB regularly, while amplifying the impact these partnerships have for neighbors in need.
Scott, a store manager at local Walmart, attests to the positive impact of our strong relationship.
“Our team loves working with GLFB and their drivers,” he said. “We are happy to see them come in and empty out the back room, knowing the food is not being wasted.”
In 2023, Walmart and Sam’s Club stores across our service area donated more than 738,150 meals to GLFB to be redistributed to neighbors facing hunger in mid-Michigan. This includes nutritious food such as meats, vegetables, fruits and a variety of shelf stable food.
Scott and his team work diligently to ensure they are meeting all food safety guidelines when donating food to GLFB. If the food is not expired or contaminated, they freeze it until GLFB takes it to the distribution center.
“Most of the time, the produce or product [we donate] just has a dent in its packaging and now it can’t be sold on the floor. If it’s not donated, then it would otherwise be tossed,” Scott explains. “This is a win-win for our store and the community as we are able to make room for more food coming in while feeding our neighbors.”
As the growing need for food assistance continues to rise, strategic local partnerships help us to reduce food waste in mid-Michigan and meet the needs of our neighbors.
You can be a part of this impact! Now through April 30, when you participate in the Walmart and Sam’s
Club Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign, you are helping neighbors facing hunger gain access to the food and resources they need to thrive. There are three easy ways to support neighbors in need:
- Donate at check-out in stores or clubs or round up at Walmart.com and the Walmart app.
- Purchase participating products in-store or online at Walmart.com or SamsClub.com. For every purchase of a participating product, the supplier will donate the monetary equivalent of at least one meal on behalf of Greater Lansing Food Bank at Walmart and five meals at Sam’s Club, up to applicable limits. See specially marked packages for details.
- Donate at Feeding America’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign donation site at either www.FeedingAmerica.org/Walmart or www.FeedingAmerica.org/SamsClub.
Thank you to all who participate. When we partner with a purpose, we can share more meals with neighbors across mid-Michigan!