For Immediate Release
Contact:
Donna Ragan, Donor Relations, Marketing & Communications Manager
704-805-1724
dragan@secondharvestmetrolina.org
Walmart and Sam's Club Partnership Helps Strengthen Food Access Across the Metrolina Region
Fight Hunger. Spark Change. Campaign Raises Over $204,000 to help Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina Provide More Food to Reach Neighbors in 24-County Service Region
(Charlotte, NC – September 19, 2026) – For the 13th consecutive year, all U.S. Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations held their annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign, including right here in the Metrolina region – in the 24 counties served by Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina.
The goal of the annual cause marketing campaign is to provide people facing hunger with access to the food and resources they say they need to thrive. As Hunger Action Month inspires the collective action required to support millions of people facing hunger across the country, the 24 counties served by Second Harvest has demonstrated the power of neighbors helping neighbors.
Throughout the 13th annual Walmart and Sam’s Club Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign that took place April 6-May 3, 2026, local shoppers, associates, suppliers and supporters helped raise over $204,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina to support local families experiencing food insecurity. The funds will help the Food Bank provide food and resources to the over 950 partner agencies that they serve each and every day.
Supported by local shoppers, Walmart and Sam’s Club associates, and participating food and beverage suppliers, the campaign donations provide support at a critical time for the estimated 493,000 people in the 14 North Carolina and 10 South Carolina counties served by the Food Bank.
“Ending hunger takes more than one solution. It takes people who are willing to look out for one another and act in their community,” said Kay Carter, CEO at the Food Bank. “Every day, we see neighbors who are working hard but still need support putting food on the table. Thanks to the generosity of our community and the ongoing partnership of Walmart and Sam’s Club, we can help provide food and hope through trusted local partner agencies.
This Hunger Action Month, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina is encouraging community members to recognize that everyone has a role in helping end hunger. The annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign demonstrates what is possible when shoppers, retailers, food manufacturers and hunger-relief organizations work together to support local families.
To date, the campaign has helped secure more than 2.4 billion meals* for the Feeding American network of local food banks. In the Metrolina region, support from Fight Hunger. Spark Change. helps Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina distribute food through a network of over 950 partner agencies, including food pantries, meal programs, shelters, senior nutrition programs, schools, low-income daycares, and veteran assistance programs.
“What I love about Fight Hunger. Spark Change. is that it starts right in our communities. It’s a customer or member adding a donation at checkout, an associate volunteering, a food bank team loading a truck or a local pantry helping a family put dinner on the table,” said Kayla Burton, Senior Manager of Cause Marketing and Customer Engagement at Walmart. “All of those individual actions add up, and we’re proud to work alongside Feeding America and local food banks to help neighbors get the foo they need.”
The annual campaign builds on more than 20 years of partnership between Walmart, Sam’s Club and Feeding America, a transformational hunger relief partnership that has provided more than $300 million and more than 10 billion pounds of food to nourish communities and increase access to the food we all deserve.
Since 2014, the Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign has helped generate more than $245 million for Feeding America and local partner food banks across the country and helped to secure more than 2.4 billion meals for people facing hunger.
Beyond Fight Hunger. Spark Change., Walmart's year-round support includes robust food donations and investments that help strengthen hunger relief infrastructure, enabling food banks and their community partners to rescue, transport and distribute more food to people who need it.
The 25 participating Fight Hunger. Spark Change. suppliers for Walmart include: Ben's Original™, Bush Brothers & Company, Campbells, Chef Boyardee, Conagra Foods, Dole Packaged Foods, LLC, Frito-Lay North America, Inc., Garden Veggie Straws®, General Mills, Hershey Salty Snacks Company, Hidden Valley, Kellanova, Keurig Dr Pepper, Kodiak, Kraft Heinz, Materne, Milo's, Mondelez International, OLIPOP, RED BARON, The Coca-Cola Company, WK Kellogg Co, Unilever, Utz Quality Foods, and Welch's® Fruit 'n Yogurt™ Snacks.
The eight participating Fight Hunger. Spark Change. suppliers for Sam's Club include General Mills, Hershey Salty Snacks Company, Kellanova, Kodiak, Kraft Heinz, Materne, Unilever and WK Kellogg Co.
As Hunger Action Month continues, [Food Bank] encourages community members to act by volunteering, advocating, donating or supporting local hunger-relief efforts.
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About Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina
As part of Feeding America, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina - serves 24 counties in North and South Carolina. In FY 2024-2025, Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina distributed almost 94 million pounds of food (including over 63 million pounds of fresh produce, meat, and dairy) and household items to over 950 hunger feeding agencies including emergency pantries, soup kitchens, senior programs, shelters and low-income daycares. The Food Bank has been serving our neighbors in need since 1981.
About Feeding America
Rooted in the voices of neighbors facing hunger, Feeding America® unites the country ensuring everyone has access to food and a thriving future. We support tens of millions of people as part of a nationwide network of 250+ food banks, 20+ statewide food bank associations, 10+ regional co-ops and 60,000+ agency partners, food pantries and meal programs. Powered by leaders and volunteers embedded in local communities, we are one of the nation’s most effective food distribution systems driving immediate impact today—and a catalyst for long-term change through advocating for legislation that improves food security and work to address its factors. cWe partner with people experiencing food insecurity, policymakers, organizations and supporters united with the unwavering commitment to provide nourishing food and work to end hunger at its roots so everyone can live fuller, healthier lives. Visit FeedingAmerica.org to learn more.
Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better — anytime and anywhere — in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 270 million customers and members visit more than 10,750 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2025 revenue of $681 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart, on X (formerly known as Twitter) at twitter.com/walmart, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/walmart.
Sam's Club
Sam’s Club, the $86 billion division of Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT), is a membership club that is pioneering the retail experience, providing exclusive access to value, convenience and modern omnichannel shopping options to millions of members in 600 clubs across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. With over 40 years of innovating in the category, Sam’s Club continues to redefine club membership shopping with its curated assortment of quality fresh food and Member’s Mark® items, in addition to market leading technologies and services like Scan & Go™️, curbside pickup and home delivery. Visit the Sam's Club Newsroom, shop at SamsClub.com or connect with Sam's Club on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest.