Approximately 15.5% of state’s population consistently struggles to get enough to eat; research shows hunger impacts learning, health, and productivity

Albuquerque, N.M., September 26, 2019 – While food insecurity is more prevalent in some parts of the country, the reality is that it exists in all communities. According to the US Department of Agriculture, nearly 40 million people face hunger in the U.S., including an estimated 324,000 individuals in New Mexico.

Walmart is deeply committed to fighting hunger and, as part of its efforts, collaborates with Feeding America®, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, year-round to support their network of 200 member food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs nationwide.

This year, through the retailer’s spring “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign, Walmart and Sam’s Club customers and associates raised more than $263,000 for Roadrunner Food Bank, helping them provide healthy, nutritious meals to individuals and families struggling to get enough to eat. 

Since 2014, the “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign has helped raise more than $969,000 for Roadrunner Food Bank, helping secure more than one billion meals* for food banks nationwide.

“We can do so much more for our communities when we work together. We’re grateful to our customers, associates and suppliers for their generosity as we take action to fight hunger,” said Todd Peterson, Walmart regional general manager for New Mexico. “Roadrunner Food Bank is doing a wonderful job bringing food to the people who need it most and we’re honored to be a part of their mission.”

In addition to monetary contributions, retail food donations are also an important part of Feeding America’s strategy for fighting hunger, accounting for the largest single source of meals the organization provided to people facing hunger last year.  

In 2018, 1.4 billion meals – 32.5% of total meals provided by Feeding America partners—resulted from retail food donations. In New Mexico, last year Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs, and distribution centers donated more than 7.1 million lbs. of food to Roadrunner Food Bank and affiliated pantries, resulting in thousands of meals for New Mexico families and individuals. 

Mag Strittmatter, president and CEO of Roadrunner Food Bank said, “Walmart’s Fight Hunger Spark Change campaign provides a lifeblood of support to food banks like Roadrunner Food Bank at a critical time.  Their spring campaign engages the community to help educate that hunger is a year round issue. Hunger happens 365 days a year and in a state with the highest rate of childhood hunger their giving and support is imperative.  We are grateful for their ongoing commitment to solving hunger through Feeding America and its member food banks like ours. Thank you Walmart!”

Hunger can affect individuals from all walks of life, but some populations are more at risk. In New Mexico, children are one of the most vulnerable groups to food insecurity. According to Feeding America, hungry children are more likely to be hospitalized and face higher risks of health conditions like anemia and asthma. As they grow up, kids struggling to get enough to eat are more likely to have problems in school and other social situations.

As Hunger Action Month comes to a close on September 30, Walmart and Feeding America want to remind everyone that every action counts in the fight against hunger. Individuals can take action today to help fight hunger in their communities by volunteering their time or donating to any of the 200 member food banks or 60,000 food pantries and meal programs that comprise the Feeding America network. Go to www.hungeractionmonth.com to learn more and find a local Feeding America partner near you. Learn more about what Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are doing to help in these efforts at Walmart.org.

About Walmart in New Mexico

In New Mexico we serve customers at 53 retail units and online through http://Walmart.com and our family of brands. We are proud to employ 13,889 associates in New Mexico. Walmart supports local businesses, spending $107.7 million with New Mexico suppliers in FYE19 which supported 289 New Mexico supplier jobs. In FY18, we  contributed more than $14 million in cash and in-kind donations to local nonprofits in New Mexico. Learn more at corporate.walmart.com, and our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram channels.

About Feeding America
Feeding America® is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 46 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Individuals, charities, businesses and government all have a role in ending hunger. Donate. Volunteer. Advocate. Educate. Together we can solve hunger. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

*$1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America® on behalf of member food banks. This meal calculation is updated annually based on fiscal year financial and operational results. Campaign dates: 4/22/19 - 5/20/19.