Walmart gifts topped $958 million last year

BENTONVILLE – Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced $958.9 million in cash and in-kind contributions around the globe during the fiscal year ending Jan. 31, 2012. The company’s U.S. giving grew nearly 20%, largely due to increased donations of produce, meats, poultry and other nutritious food to local food banks from Walmart stores, Sam’s Club locations and distribution centers.

“In the communities we serve across the globe, we want to use our size and scale to positively impact social issues. Whether it’s the 300,000 people we helped provide nutrition education to or the 60,000 women factory workers we will help develop career and life skills, what’s important is making change happen,” said Sylvia Burwell, President of the Walmart Foundation.

In Arkansas the gifts by Walmart and its foundation topped $57.85 million, second only to Texas, which received $66.73 million.

Arkansas also benefited from $65.84 million in cash and in-kind donations given by Walmart customers and employees. Again, only Texas ranked higher with $74.98 million given.

“Hunger is an issue we’re acutely focused on,” she continued. “At some point in the year, more than 50 million Americans don’t know where their next meal will come from, and that’s why we donated 338 million pounds of food to local food banks during our last fiscal year. That’s more than 264 million meals that hungry Americans wouldn’t have otherwise had.”

Overall, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation’s giving in the last fiscal year includes:

    $872.7 million in cash and in-kind gifts in the U.S., up from $732 million in fiscal year ending 2011
    $86.2 million in cash and in-kind gifts in international markets, up from $66.8 million in fiscal year ending 2011
    $958.9 million in global charitable contributions from Walmart, Sam's and its foundation in fiscal year ending 2012
  

In addition, Walmart and Sam’s Club customers and associates around the world raised $140 million through in-store giving programs that benefit local charities. As one example, during the 2011 Christmas season our associates and customers in the U.S. raised $46.5 million during the Red Kettle campaign to benefit local chapters of the Salvation Army.

The Walmart Foundation continues to fund efforts in workforce development, education, sustainability and health and wellness. For a state-by-state breakdown of giving, or more information about the Walmart Foundation, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.