Campaign to help needy buy fresh food

The latest Recycle Your Change program at Whole Foods Kahala will seek to fund Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) payment options at local farmers markets on Oahu staged by the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation.

The store has teamed up with Green Wheel Food Hub, a project of the Feed the Hunger Foundation, on the project.

"For families and shoppers struggling to make ends meet, gaining access to fresh, affordable local produce is often a struggle," said Denise Albano of the foundation. "This partnership with Whole Foods Market is an important first step in breaking down barriers to nutritious foods and making them accessible to everyone."

Whole Foods shoppers can donate change from transactions at the chain’s Kahala store. Meanwhile, Green Wheel Food Hub also is working to expand the EBT payment option to other local farmers markets.

Walmart will donate $1.5M to nonprofits

National discount retailer Walmart will distribute $1.5 million in grants to nonprofit organizations via its "12 Days of Giving" write-in campaign using Facebook.

Using the Walmart Facebook page, nominators are encouraged to enter local nonprofits that provide basic needs including food, shelter and clothing, submitting a 200-word description of what the group does. The submission should highlight the nonprofit’s impact on the community. Photos showing how the nonprofit helps families make ends meet also must be submitted, and will be included on a gallery page that will display submissions throughout the campaign.

A panel from the Walmart Foundation will review submissions, select the winners and announce grant recipients on Facebook daily from Dec. 12 to 23. Submissions will be accepted through Nov. 30. Go to is.gd/Walmart12Days.