Walmart Provides $39,684,168 to Illinois Charitable Organizations

Chicago, IL April 6, 2012 – 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 percent, 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 Illinois, Walmart gave more than $39,684,168,supporting nonprofits like Feeding Illinois, Northern Illinois Food Bank, Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago Urban League, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Catholic Charities, Chicago Public Library Association, HACIA, Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trustees for the University of Illinois for a Metro 4-H Health Jam and the Women’s Business Development Center.

“Walmart and our nearly 50,000 Illinois associates are committed to giving back to Illinois and supporting the communities where we work and live,” said Walmart Vice President and Regional General Manager Karisa Sprague. “We want to use our size and scale to positively impact social issues. Whether it is helping to fund and develop local job training centers, feeding those in need or supporting programs that provide positive learning tools for children, we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for every Illinoisan.”

In 2010, Walmart announced a historic $2 billion commitment of cash and in-kind gifts to hunger relief organizations in the U.S. through 2015. In Illinois, Walmart donated 13,589,950 pounds of food to local food banks—nearly 7,209,808 meals in the last fiscal year. The retailer and its Foundation also gave $60 million in grants to U.S.-based hunger nonprofits and partnered with Feeding Illinois and its regional food banks.

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 and its Foundation in fiscal year ending 2012; and
• Included in the $958.9 million is $101.3 million in cash and in-kind gifts given by Sam’s Club and the Sam’s Club Giving Program to support local U.S. organizations which included 49.6 million pounds of food or more than 38 million meals. The Sam’s Club Giving Program also supports small business success and preventative health and wellness programs.

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.

“We are so grateful to Walmart for its commitment to the issue of hunger,” said Tracy Smith, State Director of Feeding Illinois. “Food banks have seen record demand at member pantries, soup kitchens and shelters during the past year. Because of Walmart, we will put nutritious food on the table for thousands of hungry Illinoisans.”

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.

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About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support initiatives that are helping people live better around the globe. In May 2010, Walmart and its Foundation made a historic pledge of $2 billion through 2015 to fight hunger in the U.S. The Walmart Foundation also supports education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness initiatives. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org