This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have teamed with four of the nation's largest food companies — General Mills, ConAgra Foods, Kraft Foods and Kellogg Co. — to fight hunger by enticing customers to stop at a Walmart store or visiting the company's Facebook page through April 30.

Shoppers are invited to purchase products from participating suppliers to help provide meals to families struggling with hunger. In-store signs will help direct customers and on-package labels will advise customers how to generate meals by entering product codes online, sharing a hashtag on Twitter or scanning a QR code.

Customers also may visit Walmart's Facebook page to vote for one of 200 communities hardest hit by unemployment. In Utah, St. George is included on that list. The community with the most votes will receive $1 million to help fight hunger. The next 20 communities will each receive $50,000.

To participate in the Facebook campaign visit http://www.facebook.com/walmart.

"No one in America should go hungry, and we are proud to partner with Walmart in this effort," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America, an organization that grocery retailer Kroger helped found.

Last year, Walmart committed $2 billion through 2015 to fight hunger. Walmart pledged to donate more than 1.1 billion pounds of food from its stores, distribution centers and Sam's Club locations, valued at $1.75 billion, as well as $250 million in grants to support hunger-relief organizations.

"Hunger is a defining issue for America as millions struggle to put food on the table every day. Helping fight hunger is something our associates, customers and supplier partners believe in, and together we can help make a positive impact on this issue," said Jack Sinclair, executive vice president of Walmart's U.S. grocery business.