FIGHT HUNGER. SPARK CHANGE.

April marks the 11th annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change cause marketing campaign; a month long effort sponsored by Walmart and Sam’s Club, aimed at supporting Feeding America’s network of partner food banks. The nationwide initiative allows for customers at participating locations to make contributions to a partnering food bank within their vicinity. The designated beneficiary for Webb County being the South Texas Food Bank. Which implemented their own marketing efforts, including a short film and private screening in an attempt to further engage participants and highlight the importance of retail donations.

South Texas Food Bank Service Area: Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Val Verde, Maverick, Kinney, Dimmit, & Starr Counties

South Texas Food Bank And Walmart Join Forces To Create Donation Awareness

This past April marked the 11th annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change cause marketing campaign. The nationwide campaign ran in stores and online from April 1- 29. Shoppers had the option of donating at check-out in stores, or round up at Walmart.com and the Walmart app. Additionally, shoppers could contribute by purchasing participating products either in-store or online at Walmart.com or SamsClub.com. Monetary donations were also accepted at Feeding America’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change. donation site.

Laredo, TX, [May, 2024] – The South Texas Food Bank joined forces with Walmart and Sam's Club in support of their annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change Campaign. Which aims to create awareness and help Feeding America's network of food banks and food pantries continue their mission of assisting people experiencing food insecurity in their respective communities.

Walmart Supercenter
Laredo, Texas

South Texas Food Bank original Fight Hunger. Spark Change campaign video, depicting the process of retail donation for the purpose of spreading awareness on the logistics of food bank sourcing and the importance of large retailers in inventory supply.

Top: Walmart Store 88 Manager Gustavo with Employees
Bottom: Employee screening of Spark Change. Fight Hunger campaign 2024

In the spirit of true partnership, The South Texas Food Bank’s Marketing and Development team collaborated with Walmart Supercenter (Zapata Highway location) associates to produce a short video that highlights the process of the crucial retail donation program. Walmart and Sam’s Club are two of the food bank’s major and longstanding donors of food products. These products are then distributed to clients through our Emergency Food Assistance Program and Adopt-A-Family Program.

“The public is aware that food bank’s receive food donations from food retail stores like Walmart and Sam’s Club, but many don’t understand how the retail donation process works,” said Alma Boubel, South Texas Food Bank CEO.

The short film follows the life cycle of a Walmart product, a Great Value cereal box named “Crispy”, as it embarks on a journey from retail shelves to the home of a South Texas Food Bank client - a process very familiar in the world of food banking. Original footage was shot on location. Additionally, the video features voice over explaining the role of retail donation and how it aids the food bank in providing food assistance.

At the end of the month, Walmart employees received a private screening at the participating store, where food bank representatives spoke to them about the impact of the campaign and the importance of their support during the campaign and throughout the year with retail donations.

“Retail donation is essential in ensuring that our food banks is able to provide for the demand in our service area so we are very grateful to both Walmart and Sam’s Club for their support,” concluded Boubel.

The food bank will be releasing the video on their website - southtexasfoodbank.org- for those interested in learning more about the campaign and the role of retail donation at the South Texas Food Bank.

Walmart Screening in Employee Break Room

About The South Texas Food Bank:

The South Texas Food Bank is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to alleviate hunger in the South Texas region by collecting and distributing food through partner agencies and programs while creating awareness and educating the community on the realities of hunger throughout their eight-county service area: Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Maverick, Dimmit, Val Verde, Kinney and Starr counties.