MINNEAPOLIS – June 25, 2014 – Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced that over the last fiscal year they gave more than $21.3 million in cash and in-kind contributions to charitable organizations throughout Minnesota. Globally, the company and its Foundation donated more than $1.3 billion to non-profit groups, surpassing the previous year’s total by more than $244 million.
“Walmart is proud to support local nonprofits that are making a difference and enriching the lives of Minnesotans,” said Shane Miller, Walmart regional general manager. “We strongly believe in the importance of giving back locally, and value our partnerships with organizations that work to positively impact the lives of our customers and associates.”
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 Minnesota, Walmart donated more than 11.3 million pounds of food to local food banks—more than 9.4 million meals in the last fiscal year. The retailer and its Foundation have partnered with House of Charity, Inc. in Minneapolis to assist with the continued operation of its Food Centre which provides meals to more than 350 men, women and children every year.
"We are so grateful for the continued support of the Walmart Foundation that aids in the continued and daily operation of our Food Centre to feed the more than 350 men, women, and children who dine with us every day of the year,” said Bert Winkel, executive director of House of Charity, Inc. “The Food Centre relies solely on charitable donations, grants, and philanthropic support and so the support from the Walmart Foundation has been vital."
Minnesota
Giving Highlights
- Total Walmart and Walmart Foundation contributions (cash and in-kind) - $21.3 million
- Total customer and associate giving - $1.3 million
- Total food donation – more than 11.3 million pounds
- Meal equivalent – more than 9.4 million meals
Minnesota
nonprofits receiving grants from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation include:
- American Red Cross
- Boys and Girls Club of Central Minnesota
- Boys and Girls Club of the Twin Cities
- Home and Away Ministries
- House of Charity, Inc.
- Hunger Solutions Minnesota
- Loaves and Fishes Too
- Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota
- Metro Meals on Wheels, Inc.
- Open Arms of Minnesota, Inc.
- Rural Enrichment and Counseling Headquarters, Inc.
- Tubman
- Youth Farm and Market Project
For more information about the Walmart Foundation,
visit http://foundation.walmart.com.