More than 23.2 million pounds of food were donated to local food banks, including MEND in Pacoima
Los Angeles, Calif., July 1, 2014 – Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced that over the last fiscal year they gave more than $47.6 million in cash and in-kind contributions to charitable organizations throughout California like MEND in Pacoima, which provides thousands of meals each month to the poor. 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.
“We challenge ourselves everyday to look at ways to make long-lasting impacts in communities around the country by funding programs that address critical needs, like hunger, women’s empowerment, education and job training,” said Chad Donath, Walmart vice president and regional general manager. “Nonprofits awarded these grants in Southern California are having a profound impact on local communities and individuals with the greatest need.”
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 23.2 million of food to local food banks—nearly 19.3 million meals in the last fiscal year. The retailer and its Foundation have partnered with nonprofit MEND — Meet Each Need with Dignity in Pacoima, by providing $25,000 in cash contributions to help it provide emergency meals to the neediest of people in the greater San Fernando Valley.
“MEND’s Emergency Food Department serves over 25,000 clients a month,” said CEO Marianne Haver Hill. “Support from organizations, such as Walmart, ensures that our clients continue to have access to food daily.”
In the last three years, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have contributed $120,000 in cash to support MEND and its programs.
California Giving Highlights
- Total Walmart and Walmart Foundation contributions (cash and in-kind) - $47.6 million
- Total customer and associate giving - $4.5 million
- Total food donation – 23.2 million pounds
- Meal equivalent – 19.3 million meals
In
Los Angeles County, nonprofits receiving grants from Walmart and the Walmart
Foundation in FYE 14 included:
Los
Angeles Conservation Corps (Los Angeles) for $75,000
San
Gabriel Valley Conservation and Service Corps (El Monte) for $75,000
Union
Rescue Mission (Los Angeles) for $50,000
Meals
on Wheels West (Santa Monica) $29,200
Homeboy
Industries (Los Angeles) for $65,000
New
Economic for Women (Los Angeles) $35,000
Friends
of the Expo Center (Los Angeles) $25,000
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 http://foundation.walmart.com.