According to US Department of Agriculture figures, last year 17 million households, or roughly 15 percent of all US families, did not have access to "an adequate suppply of nutritious food" in 2008. This is the highest percentage since 1995.In the face of this problem, the nation's largest grocer, Walmart, and the Walmart Foundation "announced a $2 billion cash and in-kind commitment . . . to help end hunger in America," reads the Walmart press release.
The pledge is part of the company's new five year initiative, "'Fighting Hunger Together."' According to the press release, the initiative has four major components: 1)food donation, valued at $1.75 billion; 2) $250 million in grants to support hunger relief organizations "at the national, state and local levels;" 3) using associates and customers to help fight hunger and support hunger relief efforts; and 4) work in collaboration with the government, food manufacturers, and other private businesses committed to fighting hunger.
Walmart's vice chairman Eduardo Castro-Wright issued this statement in the news release, '"[i]ncreasingly, we see opportunities to use our scale and reach to solve challenges in our communities . . . By working together, we believe we can reach a day where no individual in this country has to go to be hungry or worry if there will be food to put on the table tomorrow."'
As USA Today online reports, Walmart is starting off its campaign by making an $8 million donation to help US food banks improve their facilities and "capacity." $6 million of this is specifically for purchasing 60 refrigerated trucks for Feeding America food banks. "The company is also donating $10 million to help ensure that children across the US are fed healthy meals during the school year and summer months."
To read the Walmart press release, click here.
To read the USA Today article, click here.
Posted: 05/12/10
