WALMART News:
ALBUQUERQUE — The holidays are a time of giving, but they also are a time of great need.
Food insecurity continues plaguing families and individuals across the country, with an estimated 1 in 6 at risk of hunger as a result of COVID-19. This is compared to a pre-pandemic number of 1 in 9 struggling with food insecurity, according to Feeding America®, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization.
As a result, food banks and pantries are having difficulties keeping up with demand.
To help organizations meet the increased demand during the holidays and beyond, the Walmart Foundation is granting Feeding America $12 million over two years and is encouraging its stores, clubs and distribution centers in the U.S. to commit funds and product donations to hunger-relief organizations through the end of the year.
“We have a great relationship with Roadrunner Food Bank, and since the start of the pandemic we’ve been looking for ways to increase our participation with them,” said Heather Carter who manages the Walmart on Eubank and I-40 in Albuquerque. “Our store donates food weekly and we’ve been able to increase the amount we donate this year.”
Heather’s store alone has donated 41,000 pounds of food or the equivalent of 34,400 meals to Roadrunner Food Bank.
Each Walmart store in New Mexico also has a champion whose job it is to increase the store’s participation and volunteerism by seeking out other hands-on opportunities to help support local food banks.
For years, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have supported hunger-relief organizations and this year is no different. Last year, in New Mexico, Walmart and Sam’s Club donated more than 6.8 million pounds of food to local food banks.
So far this year, more than 5,000 hunger-relief organizations in the U.S. have received support from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation through the donation of 480 million pounds of food and over $55 million in grants for hunger relief.
Complemented by these efforts, Walmart customers, Sam’s Club members and suppliers have raised and donated nearly $18 million for hunger relief.
