NBA star, entrepreneur and philanthropist LeBron James joined a nationwide effort to provide food for families in need.
Through the LeBron James Family Foundation, he has partnered with Walmart (No. 34 on The Fair360, formerly DiversityInc Top 50 Companies list) and Sam’s Club to support the Fight Hunger Spark Change initiative.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one in eight Americans experience food insecurity, which is nearly 40 million people who don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
“What we hope to accomplish together with LeBron is to magnify each other’s efforts,” Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said alongside James in a video announcing the partnership. “We would love to help this model that he’s creating lead to a situation where it could help even more people.”
Walmart will also gift James’ I Promise School pantry with food, toiletries, clothing items, and other necessities, which will be available to students and their families.
“It’s an honor and a privilege for me in my community and what I’m doing here to partner with such a heavy hitter in Walmart,” James said.
“The Fight Hunger Spark Change campaign has resulted in donations of over $100 million to Feeding America, since 2014, helping secure over 1,001,049,497 meals,” according to Walmart.
This year’s campaign, which ran from April 22 to May 20, raised money through donations and the purchase of participating products.
The campaign reached its “goal of securing 1 billion meals for those in need.”
“Be on the lookout for more from LeBron this year,” the company stated on its website.
Related Story: LeBron James’ I Promise School is Winning in Education
Last week, James announced a $1 million grant to promote physical activity for students at I Promise School in Akron, Ohio, which opened in July 2018. In April, the students exceeded expectations on their first district assessment — 90 percent met or exceeded individual growth goals in reading and math.
I Promise, a public school for at-risk students, is also funded by James’ foundation, which has resulted in additional teaching staff and after-school programs and tutors. I Promise does not just serve its students, it provides families with a resource center funded by James.
Learn more about the partnership:
