Walmart Foundation Lends Support To National 4-H Healthy Living Program

CHEVY CHASE, Md., Oct. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- National 4-H Council announced it has been awarded a grant from the Walmart Foundation for $2,500,000 to deliver 4-H Healthy Living experiences under the Youth Voice: Youth Choice program.

The 2016-2017 grant expands Youth Voice: Youth Choice programming from 26 to 32 states and will reach more than 134,000 under-served youth and their families, encouraging them to take action to improve dietary choices, increase physical fitness and share information regarding locally available healthy living resources. The grant includes targeted outreach to Hispanic and African American youth and this year will expand culturally relevant programs to Native American youth.

"Collaboration and dedication are key to making a positive impact on the issue of hunger in under-served communities across the U.S.," stated Carol May, Program Manager for the Walmart Foundation. "The Walmart Foundation is proud to support National 4-H as they expand their programming to address nutrition education gaps for youth in America."

The program provides grants to state-level 4-H programs and focuses on developing and enhancing healthy living programs at the community level. The goal is to teach youth about healthy living practices and to mobilize youth to implement action plans for nutrition, physical fitness and safety in their communities. The program utilizes the 4-H 'Teens as Teachers' model to allow teens to be trained as teachers and to mentor younger participants, providing them with valuable leadership skills they can use for a lifetime.

"4-H National Council is thrilled to once again be moving forward with the Youth Voice: Youth Choice program with generous support from the Walmart Foundation," said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council. "The activation of the Youth Voice: Youth Choice program not only empowers youth and their families with quality healthy living educational opportunities but also mobilizes teens to help improve the lives of their families and their communities."

The grant is part of the Walmart Foundation's ongoing commitment to strengthen communities by committing to provide nutrition education to four million people by 2020.

About 4-H
4‑H, the nation's largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for career tomorrow. 4‑H programs empower nearly six million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills. 4‑H is the youth development program of our nation's Cooperative Extension System and USDA, and serves every county and parish in the U.S. through a network of 110 public universities and more than 3000 local Extension offices. Globally, 4‑H collaborates with independent programs to empower one million youth in 50 countries. The research-backed 4‑H experience grows young people who are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.

Learn more about 4‑H at http://4-h.org/, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/4H and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/4H.

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 28 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 www.foundation.walmart.com.  

SOURCE National 4-H Council