FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jay Baker
Marketing & Communications Manager
Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter 479-795-2417
jbaker@nwacs.org
BENTONVILLE, Ark., (July 27, 2010 – The Walmart Foundation’s Local Choice Program today gave nearly $12,000 in grant funds to the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter for the shelter’s Healthy Snacks Program. This program will provide nutritional snacks to the children living at the shelter, supplementing the healthy meals provided by the shelter. Due to the abuse and neglect these children experience prior to coming to the shelter, many shelter residents have not had the opportunity to eat healthy and nutritious foods. The goal of the program is for each child to receive a healthy snack option each evening, such as fresh fruit, vegetables or yogurt. Rob Goldberg and Jason Hawk from the Walmart Global Internal Audit division visited the Shelter and presented a check in the amount of $11,680 to Shelter Food Service Manager Bill Glass, Executive Director Tim Nichols and Director of Development Linda Phillips.
“The grant will definitely allow us to augment our meal plan with healthy snacks,” said Shelter Food Service Manager Bill Glass. “This money will go a long way toward helping us meet the nutritional needs of the kids.”
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation focus on giving at national, state and local level. Walmart allows their associates to make decisions on where to give in their local communities.
“Walmart and its employees have once again demonstrated their commitment to helping children, particularly in their own backyard,” said Tim Nichols, Executive Director of the Children’s Shelter. “This grant from the Walmart Foundation will help us continue to serve those in our community who are most in need and most at risk.”
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. The Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From Feb. 1, 2009 through Jan. 31, 2010, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $467 million in cash and in-kind gifts, including donating 127 million pounds of nutritious food to U.S. food banks. Internationally, Walmart gave $45 million in cash and in-kind gifts to charitable organizations. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.
*Ed. Note: Walmart operates Foundations in the U.S., Brazil, Mexico and the United Kingdom. In addition to its Foundation giving, Walmart makes charitable contributions locally in every community where it operates.
About Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter
The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter is a private, nonprofit organization that provides a safe and loving environment to children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse and neglect. The Shelter’s mission is to provide a safe and nurturing atmosphere of hope for children in crisis and to sponsor programs that encourage individual growth and development.
For more information about the Shelter, call 479-795-2417 or visit www.nwacs.org.
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