OKLAHOMA CITY (September 23, 2015) – The Walmart Foundation has granted $31,519 to Feed the Children, Inc. through the Foundation’s State Giving Program to assist with providing meals for thousands of children across Oklahoma.
Specifically, the grant will be used to purchase meals not reimbursed by the USDA and also to offset Summer Feeding Program personnel costs.
“We are excited to provide nourishing meals to thousands of children at risk of going hungry during the summer months,” said Travis Arnold, interim CEO/president and COO of Feed the Children. “There is a massive gap between school feeding programs and summer feeding programs, but thanks to the Walmart Foundation Grant, we will help close that gap and ensure kids are continuing to grow, dream and learn during the summer.”
In fiscal year 2014, Feed the Children and their partners distributed $265 million in food, educational supplies, medicine and other necessities impacting close to nine million individuals in the U.S.
“Walmart, and the Walmart Foundation, understand organizations such as Feed the Children are essential to building stronger communities. They share our values and are committed to helping those in need in the communities we serve,” said Rodney Walker, Walmart vice president and regional general manager. “Through this grant, we hope residents in this area will feel a positive effect, and through that effect our impact will be expanded.”
The Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program supports organizations that create opportunities so people can live better, awarding grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the U.S.
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 to meet the program’s minimum eligibility criteria. Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.
As part of Walmart’s $2 billion commitment to fight hunger through 2015, Walmart stores in Oklahoma donated nearly 20 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2015, or the equivalent of 16.5 million meals. Additionally, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation donated more than $36 million to local organizations in fiscal year 2015 in Oklahoma alone. For more information on Walmart’s fight against hunger, visit http://foundation.walmart.com/our-focus/hunger.
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About Feed the Children
Feed the Children
believes it can create a world where no child goes to bed hungry. Since 1979,
Feed the Children has grown into one of the largest U.S.-based charities. Feed
the Children is accredited by GuideStar Exchange and the BBB Wise Giving
Alliance, maintains a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, and is also a member
of InterAction. Through its network agencies, Feed the Children distributed
over $344 million in food, other necessities, educational supplies, and
medicine, impacting close to 9 million individuals in the U.S. and more than 4.9
million individuals globally in fiscal year 2014.To learn more visit, http://www.feedthechildren.org/.
About Philanthropy at Walmart
By using our strengths
to help others, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation create opportunities for
people to live better every day. We have stores in 27 countries, employing more
than 2.2 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who,
in turn, employ millions of people. We are helping people live better by
accelerating upward job mobility and economic development for the retail
workforce; addressing hunger and making healthier, more sustainably-grown food
a reality; and building strong communities where we operate and inspiring our
associates to give back. Whether it is helping to lead the fight against hunger
in the United States with $2 billion in cash and in-kind donations or
supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment through a series of grants totaling $10
million to the Women in Factories training program in Bangladesh, China, India
and Central America, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are not only working to
tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to inspire
solutions for long-lasting systemic change. To learn more about Walmart’s
giving, visit http://www.foundation.walmart.com.