PORTAGE — Walmart announced that the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana has received $64,256.26 from two charitable campaigns over the last three months. Northwest Indiana residents generated a total of $21,356.26, for the food bank through Walmart’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign and another $43,000 was donated by Walmart to support the expansion of the Food Bank’s BackPack program. The Food Bank will add an additional 300 students to the program in the 2015-2016 school year. Walmart associates gathered today to volunteer at the Food Bank’s mobile distribution, Mobile Market, in Porter County and to present the organization with a check.
“Volunteering in the local community is a priority for all of our Walmart associates,” said local Walmart Manager Janette Ferrera. “We are proud to be involved with the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana and proud that our team continues to give back to local Hoosiers.”
The Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign offered customers the opportunity to help fight hunger from April 6 to May 3, 2015 by making a donation to their local Feeding America food bank at a Walmart register, or purchasing select products from some of the nation’s leading food companies: Campbell’s, ConAgra Foods, General Mills, Kellogg Company, Kraft, and Unilever. In addition, the public participated in the #WeSparkChange social media challenge. Customers were asked to take a picture of six friends who share their commitment to fight hunger and post a public picture on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #WeSparkChange. For each post, Walmart donated $10 to Feeding America on behalf of its affiliate food banks.
In addition to the money raised through the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign, the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana was awarded a state giving grant from the Walmart Foundation in the amount of $43,000, which the food bank intends to use in support of the BackPack Program, a hunger-relief program that serves students (take-home) weekend meals throughout the school year.
“The Food Bank’s BackPack Program has grown significantly since its inception; this year we are excited to be serving more than 600 students throughout northwest Indiana. The program wouldn’t be possible without the support of organizations throughout Lake and Porter counties as well as through Foundations like Walmart,” said Arleen Peterson, Executive Director for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana.
