Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee News

Guest blog by Josh Cotton, Market Manager Nashville Area for Walmart Stores Inc.

In May of this year Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced a $2 billion cash and in-kind commitment, to help end hunger in America. The new five-year initiative, “Fighting Hunger Together,” includes four key components:

• Donating more than 1.1 billion pounds of food from Walmart stores, distribution centers and Sam’s Club locations, valued at $1.75 billion.
• Grants totaling $250 million to support hunger relief organizations at the national, state and local levels.
• Collaboration with government, food manufacturers and other corporations that are fighting hunger to increase impact and reach a greater number of families in need.
• Mobilizing Walmart associates and customers. For example, having our store associates and customers focused on efforts for the September Hunger Action month.

The associates of Greater Nashville Walmart are committed to the efforts of ending hunger in Middle Tennessee. The stores will sponsor food drives throughout the month of September to support Hunger Action Month.  The efforts put forward by the local associates here in Nashville can help raise awareness to the vast need for struggling individuals.  It is alarming to me that in Tennessee 1 and 5 children are at risk of food hunger. The fact that the need for food assistance has increased by 50 percent over the past 5 years shows that organizations such as the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee are more important than ever before. Walmart is committed to turning these trends and eliminating food hunger.

The Cheesecake Factory has once again jumped on board to fight hunger during Hunger Action Month and all year long! On July 29, National Cheesecake Day, The Cheesecake Factory unveiled its newest flavor and pledged to use this new gooey, yummy dessert to fight hunger in America.

From July 29, 2010 to January 31, 2011, for every slice of the new Reese’s Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake sold, The Cheesecake Factory will donate $0.25 to Feeding America. Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee is able to stretch one dollar into four meals, which means one meal will be supplied for every slice of cheesecake sold.

So as you enjoy your sweet dessert, you can feel great because you are helping us feed hungry people right here in Middle Tennessee!