Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign highlights year-round impact of Walmart partnership
LOGAN, OH — Across Southeast Ohio, food that might otherwise go to waste is instead helping stock pantry shelves and support families—thanks to a growing partnership between local Walmart stores, the Southeast Ohio Foodbank, and community food pantries.
Through the Foodbank’s Retail Rescue Program, participating Walmart locations donated more than 422,000 pounds of food to the region in the past year alone. That food is quickly redistributed through local pantries, helping ensure neighbors have access to fresh, nutritious items close to home.
The effort connects stores in Athens, Logan, Jackson, Gallipolis, and Marietta with pantry partners who pick up donations multiple times each week. Athens and Logan stores led the way, contributing the highest totals across the region.
At the Athens Walmart, the Nelsonville Food Cupboard and Truth (Agape) Food Pantry coordinate regular pickups throughout the week—ensuring donated food moves quickly from store shelves to community tables. In Logan, Laurelville Community Food Pantry and Truth (Agape) Food Pantry play a similar role, helping extend access in more rural areas where options can be limited.
For pantry leaders, the impact is immediate and essential.
“Walmart is an important partner in feeding our patrons with healthy food,” said Food Pantry representative Jim Eberts.
In smaller communities, those partnerships can make the difference between having enough to serve and falling short.
As Dale Daubenmire of Laurelville Community Food Pantry explained, partnerships with retail locations like Walmart help make their work possible—especially in rural areas where resources are limited but need remains high.
This local impact is part of a larger national effort. Now through May 3, Walmart and Sam’s Club customers can support hunger relief through the annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign, which offers multiple ways to give back—from donating at checkout to purchasing participating products or giving online.
Funds raised through the campaign stay local, helping food banks like the Southeast Ohio Foodbank continue programs like Retail Rescue while also purchasing and distributing additional food across a 10-county region.
“We have to work together in Southeast Ohio,” said Valerie Stillson, Chief Development Officer at HAPCAP. “Food that might otherwise go to waste is instead helping families put meals on the table, and it’s happening because of strong local partnerships that keep resources close to home.”
And for thousands of families, it means one less thing to worry about.
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About The SE Ohio Foodbank
The SE Ohio Foodbank is a program of Hocking Athens Perry Community Action (HAPCAP), a private nonprofit dedicated to alleviating the impacts of poverty, and a member of Feeding America. Headquartered in Logan, Ohio, the SE Ohio Foodbank serves 10 counties, including Athens, Gallia, Hocking, Jackson, Lawrence, Meigs, Morgan, Perry, Vinton, and Washington. Through the work of dedicated staff and volunteers and contributions from generous financial supporters, the organization supplies 70 member food pantries and provides more than three million meals annually. In addition to providing emergency food assistance, the SE Ohio Foodbank works to find innovative solutions to the challenges of food insecurity through the HAPCAP for Health program. For more, visit www.hapcap.org, follow @FoodbankSE on Twitter, @se.ohio.foodbank on Instagram, or like SE Ohio Foodbank on Facebook.
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.
