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SPRINGFIELD, Mo.— Walmart launched the nationwide Fight Hunger. Spark Change. initiative in April, calling on the public to take action in the fight against hunger. Through this month-long campaign, Ozarks Food Harvest will receive an estimated $70,000 in combined funds from the social media campaign #WeSparkChange, donations made at Walmart registers and select product purchases. This funding will allow The Food Bank to provide approximately 350,000 meals to share with struggling families in the Ozarks.

“We are thrilled about Walmart’s Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign and grateful for its ongoing commitment to fight hunger,” said Bart Brown, President/CEO of Ozarks Food Harvest. “Campaigns like this are critical to our collective ability to raise awareness about the issue of hunger, to secure more local funds and, ultimately, serve more people in need in the Ozarks.”

The Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign came at a critical time, with one in six people in southwest Missouri struggling with hunger at some point during the year. The numbers are even higher for children, with one in four being food insecure. During the spring months, The Food Bank faces a time when the food supply it relies on to help feed local families is often at its lowest level following the holiday season. Donations from campaigns like Fight Hunger. Spark Change. provide much-needed relief for families in the Ozarks who struggle to make ends meet.

“With the support of our customers and partnerships with our suppliers and Feeding America … we can make a real difference for families facing hunger across the U.S.,” said Kathleen McLaughlin, president of the Walmart Foundation and senior vice president of Walmart sustainability.

This is Walmart’s 10th year partnering with Feeding America nationally to fight against hunger and the 2nd annual Fight Hunger. Spark Change. campaign. Ozarks Food Harvest is a longtime beneficiary of support from Walmart through grants and the Retail Pick-Up Program.

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Ozarks Food Harvest is the Feeding America food bank for southwest Missouri, serving 200 organizations across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank distributes more than 13 million meals annually to 260,000 unduplicated individuals. Learn more at ozarksfoodharvest.org, facebook.com/ozarksfoodharvest or twitter.com/ozksfoodharvest.