Business & Tech

Walmart Exceeds $1 Billion In Donations; Lake Elsinore Food Bank Hoping To Be A Recipient

The news comes as Lake Elsinore's H.O.P.E. strives to win a $20,000 grant from the giant retailer.

The following is a news release from Walmart public relations:

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced that over the last fiscal year they gave more than $1 billion in cash and in-kind contributions, making it the first time Walmart or any U.S. retailer has achieved that level of giving. The growth in global giving was largely due to increased in-kind donations in the U.S. to local food banks and families impacted by disasters. In California, Walmart gave more than $26 million supporting nonprofits like Desert Arc, SmartRiverside, the Children’s Fund of San Bernardino County and Riverside Meals on Wheels.

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“Walmart is committed to fostering meaningful partnerships with nonprofit organizations throughout California,” stated Kim Sentovich, Senior Vice President of the Pacific Division of Walmart.  “Together we are tackling important issues like hunger, economic opportunity, and sustainability, and making a positive impact on the lives of millions of people across our state.”

In 2010, Walmart announced a historic $2 billion commitment of cash and in-kind gifts to hunger relief organizations in the U.S. through 2015. In California, Walmart donated 10.2 million pounds of food to local food banks—nearly 8.5 million meals in the last fiscal year, contributing to the 351 million meals contributed to local food banks across America. The retailer and its Foundation have partnered with organizations such as Family Services of the Desert to support the organization’s From Hungry to Healthy program, which provides healthy food to low income families in eastern Riverside County.

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Overall, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation’s total global contributions of $1.08 billion in the last fiscal year include:

  • U.S. giving of $1 billion in cash and in-kind gifts, up from $872.7 million last year

o    More than 351 million meals to local food banks through Feeding America

o    $1.9 million in grants to Share Our Strength to provide 122,000 families the skills and resources needed to prepare healthy, affordable meals

o    Our stores and clubs gave $4.9 million toward first responders, including nearly $3 million toward local law enforcement

o    $106.4 million in cash and in-kind gifts given by Sam’s Club and the Sam’s Club Giving Program

  •  
    • Helped 3,600 small-business owners get the training they need to succeed
    • Provided grants to nonprofit partners that enabled 265 small-business loans
  • International giving of $82.2 million in cash and in-kind gifts

 

In addition to the more than $1 billion from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation, Walmart and Sam’s Club customers and associates around the world raised $156.3 million for local organizations such as the Salvation Army and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. During the 2012 holiday season alone, our associates and customers in the U.S. raised nearly $45 million during the Red Kettle campaign to benefit local chapters of the Salvation Army, accounting for more than 30 percent of the organization’s Red Kettle fundraising. Our associates and customers also made a difference for nearly 17 million kids across the nation by raising more than $51 million for local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals last fiscal year.

“Through Walmart’s generous support last year, we were able to provide more than 344,000 meals to those in need,” said  Tracylyn Sharrit, Director of Development for Second Harvest Food Bank Serving Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.  “Walmart’s support is not only critical to the work we do, but it also demonstrates strong support of the Inland Empire community.”

For a state-by-state breakdown of giving, or more information about the Walmart Foundation, visit http://foundation.walmart.com.


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