Walmart Foundation Announces $581,000 in Grants to Arizona Nonprofits

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have announced $581,000 in grants to 14 charitable organizations across Arizona. The grants were distributed as part of an Arizona Day of Giving, which included dozens of Walmart associates participating in volunteer activities in Phoenix, Tucson, Casa Grande and Bullhead City.

“Poverty and hunger remain daily challenges for far too many Arizona families,” said Paula Ginnett, Walmart Vice President and Regional General Manager. “At Walmart and the Walmart Foundation, we’re proud to volunteer our time and offer financial support to these phenomenal philanthropic organizations, which are making a difference in the lives of Arizonans.”

In Arizona, about 20 percent of residents – including 1 in 3 children and 1 in 7 seniors – live in poverty. Unfortunately, hunger rates in the Grand Canyon State are also higher than the national average. More than 450,000 Arizona children face hunger on a daily basis, and our state’s food insecurity rate for children is 3rd worst in the nation. Hunger Relief & Healthy Eating is one of the core areas of emphasis for the Walmart Foundation, and was a focus of this round of Arizona grants.

Congressman Paul Gosar (R-Dist. 4) noted the value of one such Walmart Foundation grant in Western Arizona. “Bullhead City Meals on Wheels plays a critical role when it comes to helping seniors in our community live happy, healthy and independent lives,” Congressman Gosar said. “I thank the Walmart Foundation for supporting Meals on Wheels and quality, non-profit organizations like it across Arizona.”

The 14 Walmart Foundation grant recipients are:

Metro Phoenix

• St. Vincent de Paul – $60,000 (hunger relief);
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Phoenix – $40,000 (Teen Summer Program);
• St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance – $60,000 (hunger relief);
• UMOM New Day Centers – $50,000 (hunger relief for homeless families);
• Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS – $30,000 (nutrition program);
• Civitan Foundation – $50,000 (vocational training through Feeding the Hungry);
• United Food Bank – $30,000 (hunger relief);
• Fresh Start Women’s Foundation – $60,000 (economic self-sufficiency and job training for women);
• American Diabetes Association – $25,000 (healthy eating).

Metro Tucson

• Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona – $36,000 (After School Meal Program);
• Blessings in a Backpack – $25,000 (hunger relief);
• Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation – $25,000 (Food for Life program for homebound individuals).

Casa Grande

• Against Abuse – $50,000 (food and healthy eating program).

Bullhead City

• Bullhead City Meals on Wheels – $40,000 (meal assistance).

Over the last fiscal year, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation donated $24.7 million in cash and in-kind donations to charitable organizations throughout Arizona. This included 12.6 million pounds of food to area food banks. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally and giving back locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its core areas of giving: Hunger Relief & Healthy Eating, Sustainability, Career Opportunity and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States with a $2 billion commitment through 2015. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have donated more than 1.3 billion meals to people in need across the country.