I’d like to take a moment to introduce myself, my name is Kathy Cox and I am a program manager on the National Giving Team for the Walmart Foundation. I know that many of you may not be familiar with our foundation or our efforts throughout the year to help create opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability and health and wellness. It is my hope, that in the next few months, I can share with you, through this blog, stories of support that will perhaps provide insight into our foundation, our company, and the commitment of our associates to the people and communities we serve.
While we work year round to give back to our communities through our National, State and Local giving programs, we also strive to understand and address some of the unmet needs around the country during the holidays. It’s more than money. There is a dedication in this company and in the foundation to make a difference.
We all know that the economic climate has been tough this year; therefore Walmart and the Foundation are both working to support those in need through basic needs giving programs and food donations. We know that in this economy, families and seniors across the country are having a difficult time putting food on the table. Today, in Madison, WI, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation is kicking off “Walmart Gives Back,” a $32 million holiday giving campaign that includes a historic hunger relief effort.
Through a $3 million grant, the Walmart Foundation has donated 35 refrigerator food trucks to feeding America today. These trucks will be filled with Great Value branded foods and fresh apples and will be delivered to 35 food banks across the nation. We believe that no American should go hungry, and with our food donation program in Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs, our support of local hunger relief organizations and our funding to help capacity building, Walmart has become the largest corporate sponsor of Feeding America.
While we talk about hunger both in the Foundation and throughout the business, I found it surprising (disheartening really) to know that senior hunger is such a large problem. When you stop to think who our seniors are, and begin to understand that these are our mothers, fathers and veterans-it gives one reason to pause. In an effort to help increase the number of meals provided to the one in nine seniors that are facing the threat of hunger, we also awarded a grant of $2.2 million to Meals on Wheels today.
As the trucks roll, and our partners from Feeding America and Meals on Wheels return home, we know that as a company, and a foundation, through our partnership with these two organizations and the many hunger relief organizations that our stores and clubs support at the local level, we will be helping to feed thousands of children, adults and seniors this holiday season, and through the new year.
We understand that eradicating hunger in the U.S. in not a job that we can tackle by ourselves. It is the wish of The Walmart Foundation and all of its partners, that many of you following our holiday giving campaign will be inspired to get involved. Your communities need you, and value the individual gifts you may have to offer.
While today is a really big day for Walmart, the Foundation, our associates and our charity partners, this was only the beginning of our giving campaign. Stay tuned for more…..as we continue to reach out to those in need this holiday Season.
To learn more about how to get involved, visit WalmartGiving.com. The site provides more information about the campaign, including opportunities to volunteer and donate in support of Walmart’s holiday initiatives.