Walmart Donates More Than $265,000 in Recent Grants to Address Hunger and Health in West Virginia

Retailer continues partnership with local nonprofits to help serve the needs of West Virginia Residents

CHARLESTON, W.Va., Nov. 22, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --As a part of its commitment to address the needs of the communities it serves, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation committed more than $265,000 to address hunger and health in West Virginia. The retailer and its Foundation announced today the latest recipients of its West Virginia State Giving program, which supports organizations with programs focused on education, job skills training, environmental sustainability and health. The grantees for this giving cycle include Huntington Area Food Bank, Share Our Strength, The Goshen Project and Milan Puskar Health Right.

"As a member of the West Virginia community, Walmart is committed to helping address the immediate needs of our associates, customers and neighbors throughout the state," said Kate Mora, Regional General Manager at Walmart. "Our State Giving program is modeled with this concept in mind as it allows us to work with local on-the-ground organizations to create opportunities so those in the community can live better. Walmart and its Foundation are proud to support these worthy organizations and to help further their critical efforts to provide meals and health care to West Virginians."

Comprised of a council of local associates who know firsthand the needs of their communities, the Walmart State Giving program provides nonprofit organizations with grants starting at $25,000. With these recent grants, Walmart has committed $400,000 to the state of West Virginia in 2010.

The most recent recipients of Walmart's West Virginia State Giving Program include:

• Huntington Area Food Bank (HAFB) – $150,000
• Share our Strength-West Virginia – $50,000
• The Goshen Project – $40,254
• Milan Puskar Health Right – $25,000

"It is rare to find a company as dedicated to giving back and supporting their local communities as Walmart," said Leigh Anne Zappin, Director, Huntington Area Food Bank. "Each and every day the partnership that has been formed by the Huntington Area Food Bank and Walmart grows stronger.  And because of our partnership, we are able to expand and improve our service throughout the 17 counties that we serve. For that, we truly thank them."

Interested organizations may apply for a grant, which is awarded twice a year, online at www.walmartstores.com/CommunityGiving.

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.

SOURCE Walmart and the Walmart Foundation