Walmart and Facebook Users Help Local Nonprofit Organizations Provide More Than 11 Million Meals for Families in Need

Nonprofits in Salt Lake City; Fresno, Calif.; Columbia, S.C.; Ogden, Utah; Charleston, S.C.; and Bakersfield, Calif. receive $1.5 million in grants to help fight hunger

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Today, Walmart will present more than $1.5 million in grants to nonprofits in the six communities that led in votes at the end of its “Fighting Hunger Together” Facebook campaign. Community organizations in Salt Lake City; Fresno, Calif.; Columbia, S.C.; Ogden, Utah; Charleston, S.C.; and Bakersfield, Calif. will use the funds to provide more than 11 million meals to families in need.

Part of the company’s $2 billion commitment to help fight hunger through 2015, the campaign called on Facebook users to go to www.walmart.com/fightinghunger and “like” one of the 100 hungriest communities in the United States as ranked by the Food Research and Action Center. More than 10 million votes were cast during the campaign, which ran from November 15 – December 31.

“When you look at the sheer number of people affected by hunger in our nation, the issue seems insurmountable. But, if everyone gets involved and we work together, we can overcome it,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. “Our Facebook campaign is a single example of the success we can achieve when corporate, community and nonprofit entities come together and work with millions of Americans toward the common goal of ending hunger in this country.”

“Hunger is a national issue and we see the impact of food insecurity in communities across Utah on a daily basis. Federal, state and local governments, nonprofit community organizations, and committed corporate partners must all come together to wage the fight against hunger,” said Utah Governor Gary Herbert. “We are grateful to Walmart for taking the lead by providing hunger relief grants to six communities throughout the United States -- including the Utah communities of Salt Lake City and Ogden/Clearfield -- and we are proud of the millions of citizens who stepped forward to show their support during this campaign.”

Through the “Fighting Hunger Together” Facebook campaign, Walmart is funding innovative programs in local communities, including those that provide meals for students and transport nutritional food throughout the community. For a complete list of nonprofits receiving funding, visit www.walmart.com/fightinghunger.

Walmart will share success stories, photos and videos on the impact the organizations are making in their communities through its Facebook page.

About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. The Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From Feb. 1, 2009 through Jan. 31, 2010, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $512 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally, $467 million of which was donated in the U.S. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.