Walmart Gives $150,000 to 10 Nonprofits Led by Extraordinary Volunteers on the Third Day of “12 Days of Giving” Holiday Campaign

BENTONVILLE, Ark., Dec. 12, 2012 – On the third day of its “12 Days of Giving” holiday campaign, Walmart is awarding $150,000 to 10 nonprofits that are led by individuals who have taken an extraordinary action to lend a  helping hand to those in need in their local communities. One of the winning organizations, Mentor’s Project of Bibb County serves its community by matching mentors with at-risk student protégés. Led by June O’Neal, they work with these children in every way possible by finding them homes, collecting food, clothing, school supplies and finding assistance for their families’ utility bills.

Over twelve consecutive days, Walmart will award a total of $1.5 million to 140 organizations across the country that are providing basic needs and services such as food, shelter, clothing and medical care. Organizations receiving grants today are featured on Walmart’s Live Better tab on Facebook. The organizations serve communities in: North Carolina, Maine, New York, Georgia, Florida, Nebraska, Texas, Maryland and New Jersey.

“Day after day, ordinary people become heroes through extraordinary and selfless actions to help their neighbors,” said Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Walmart Foundation. “The organizations we are supporting today all have incredible individuals behind them, who have given selflessly to make their local community better and we are honored to support them this holiday season.”

Walmart’s November call for submissions resulted in more than 21,677 nominations from Facebook users who submitted descriptions of each nonprofit’s impact in its local community. Submissions were initially reviewed by Walmart associates from across the company and then a panel from the Walmart Foundation selected the winning organizations.

The organizations being spotlighted today for “Lending a Helping Hand” include:

About Philanthropy at Walmart 
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally and giving back locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its core areas of giving: Hunger Relief and Nutrition, Sustainability, Workforce Opportunity and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States with a $2 billion commitment through 2015. To date, Walmart has donated more than 1 billion pounds of food to those in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.

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