SALT LAKE CITY (Feb. 21, 2014) - The Walmart Foundation’s Utah State Giving Program has awarded $147,600 to four organizations located across the state which are addressing the needs for the communities they serve and making significant social impact.
“The important work these four organizations are doing to promote healthy living along the Wasatch Front is highly commendable,” said Utah Governor Gary Herbert. “We appreciate the support that Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are providing these organizations so that they can continue to help improve the lives of the people in our state.”
Twice a year, the Utah State Giving Council awards grants to eligible nonprofits. Most recently, grants have been awarded to Catholic Community Services of Utah, Friends for Sight, St. Anne’s Center and the Utah Food Bank.
“Food insecurity is a major issue in the United States with one in four people not knowing where they will get their next meal,” said Madeleine Havener, Vice President and Regional General Manager for Walmart. “Three of the organizations receiving grants in Utah represent some of the leading hunger relief efforts in the state, and Friends for Sight is dedicated to preserving eyesight in children and adults. We are proud to support them as they effect positive change in the community, especially for those most in need.”
The following nonprofits received grants to fund vital local programs that have proven to help those in Utah with health and wellness, nutrition, food and education:
Catholic Community Services of Utah received $25,000 to purchase new shelves at the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank, improving delivery outcomes and reducing spoilage of donated goods. The Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank is located in Ogden, Utah, and is the largest food distribution center in Northern Utah. It aims to alleviate hunger amongst low-income people in Weber, Davis, Box Elder and Morgan Counties. The Hall Food Bank annually distributes over two million pounds of food to thousands of individuals and families facing hunger each year.
Friends for Sight earned a $30,500 grant which will be used to enhance its vision screening program. The grant will help the organization expand its reach throughout the state of Utah to screen people of all ages for preventable blindness factors.
“Last year we screened 30,000 people, and with strong support from our partners like Walmart, we hope to double the number of people we can help in the next three years,” said Kate Edwards, executive director of Friends for Sight.
St. Anne’s Center received a grant of $42,100 to purchase kitchen equipment for the new soup kitchen, where 58,000 meals are prepared each year for the homeless and hungry in Northern Utah.
Utah Food Bank will use its grant of $50,000 to purchase one vehicle, a refrigeration unit and key food items, ensuring more food gets to those in southern Utah suffering from hunger.
In 2012 in Utah, the Walmart Foundation and stores throughout the state awarded more than $15.8 million in cash and in-kind contributions to community groups that are positioned to address the needs of Utah communities and make a significant social impact within Walmart’s core areas of giving: Hunger Relief and Healthy Eating, Sustainability, Career Opportunity and Women’s Economic Empowerment.
In early 2013, the Walmart Foundation’s Utah State Giving Program granted a total of $152,400 to Community Action Services and Food Bank, Salt Lake Donated Dental Services, and Volunteers for America, Utah.
To be considered for support, prospective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application. Applicants must have a current 501(c)3 tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum eligibility criteria. Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online at walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.
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 Healthy Eating,
Sustainability, Career 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. Walmart has donated more than
1 billion meals to those in need across the country. To learn more about
Walmart’s giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.
###