Riverside, CA (June 17, 2014) – Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced that over the last fiscal year they gave more than $47 million in cash and in-kind contributions to charitable organizations throughout California. Globally, the company and its Foundation donated more than $1.3 billion to nonprofit groups, surpassing the previous year’s total by more than $244 million.
“We are so proud of the partnerships we have forged with dedicated people and organizations throughout the state to help us do more good for more people,” said Kimberly Sentovich, Senior Vice President, Walmart Pacific Division. “In the Inland Empire, we were fortunate to team up with some new groups this year, and we look forward to seeing the great work these organizations will do in the community.”
One of the Inland Empire organizations receiving grants from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation is Desert Arc. A grant of $25,000 was provided to Desert Arc to support the Pathways to Employment program, which provides employment training, job placement and community integration for persons with developmental disabilities.
“Through Walmart’s support, we will be able to provide valuable tools to those most in need in our community – the developmentally disabled. Walmart’s commitment to promoting a high quality, independent life for the developmentally disabled is admirable, and we were so thankful to receive this grant,” said Richard Balocco, President and CEO, Desert Arc.
Additionally, since announcing the historic Fighting Hunger Together commitment in 2010 to donate 1.1 billion pounds of food and $250 million in cash by 2015, Walmart and Sam’s Club facilities have surpassed both goals one year earlier than projected. As of January 2014, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have donated 1.58 billion pounds of food, the equivalent of approximately 1.32 billion meals, and have awarded $260 million in grants to hunger relief programs in the United States, exceeding their original commitment by four percent. Overall, Walmart has exceeded $2 billion of cash and in-kind commitments to fight hunger at the local, state and national levels.
In California, Walmart donated more than 23 million pounds of food to local food banks – equivalent to more than 19 million meals – in the last fiscal year. The retailer and its Foundation have partnered with Family Service to launch its Mobile Fresh program, which features a retrofitted bus containing produce and dry goods. Mobile Fresh will provide convenient access to these healthy staples for seniors and those with limited mobility. Further, the goods will be available at prices 20 to 30 percent less than at convenience stores. Family Service Association intends to reach residents across 40 communities in Riverside and San Bernardino counties through the Mobile Fresh program.
“Walmart’s support really helped us get Mobile Fresh on the road. We are now able to impact the lives of more of our fellow Inland Empire friends and neighbors through this innovative new program,” said Dom Betro, Chief Executive Officer, Family Service Association.
California Giving Highlights
- Total Walmart and Walmart Foundation contributions (cash and in-kind) - $47,661,178
- Total customer and associate giving - $4,472,668
- Total food donation – 23,174,153 pounds
- Meal equivalent – 19,311,794 meals
For more information about the Walmart Foundation, visit http://foundation.walmart.com.
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
& 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
and the Walmart Foundation have donated more than 1.3 billion meals to people
in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.