COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In response to the increasing number of Ohio families in crisis, the Walmart Foundation today announced a $250,000 grant to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks (OASHF), Ohio's largest charitable response to hunger, and a $100,000 grant to the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), a federally funded program administered by the Ohio Department of Development, to help low-income Ohioans pay their utility bills.
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The contributions were announced during an event held today at the Ohio Benefit Bank Direct Services office in downtown Columbus with Ohio Governor Ted Strickland, David Gose, director of operations - Ohio for Walmart Stores and Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, OASHF executive director.
"The Walmart Foundation's donations serve as a great example of a corporation choosing to support the community and directly help people in need," Strickland said. "As the state of Ohio does everything it can to address the needs of our people, we welcome the opportunity to work with all those in the private sector who can invest in programs that help Ohioans who are struggling this winter season."
The donation to OASHF will: -- Provide $75,000 for OASHF to buy 625,000 pounds of shelf-stable and highly nutritious foods; personal care items; and household cleaning products for 75,000 Ohio households. -- Allow OASHF to use $150,000 to leverage more than $1 million in state and federal funding, which will be used to support 100 national and state AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps State members at foodbanks throughout Ohio. -- Enable OASHF to earmark $25,000 to help enroll 7,000 new low-income children in Ohio's Summer Food Service Program.
The Walmart Foundation donation will help OASHF coordinate and provide tens of thousands of hours of volunteer community services, including engagement of Walmart associates and others in community projects through "Make A Difference Day-Ohio;" the "9/11 Day of Remembrance;" "Martin Luther King" activities; and "AmeriCorps Week."
It also will help fund expansion of The Ohio Benefit Bank, which provides free tax assistance to low-income Ohioans and assists them in accessing other support services. The AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer will be active in a number of anti-hunger and anti-poverty programs, including such things as community gardens, community clean up and Walmart store pick-up programs.
"This donation comes at a time when our network of hunger relief is under enormous strain," said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, OASHF executive director. "Walmart's response to this growing hunger crisis in Ohio will help many vulnerable Ohioans at a critical time."
"Walmart and its Foundation recognizes that local communities are facing greater hunger needs than ever before, with more families seeking assistance from their local foodbanks," said Gose, of Walmart. "Our partnership with Ohio's foodbanks and the HEAP program reflects our corporate commitment to doing more to help the organizations that help all Ohioans in need. With so many families struggling to put food on their tables and pay their bills in the continually challenging economic climate, we wanted to do our part to help keep their families warm and fed this winter."
The contributions were made possible through the Walmart Foundation's Ohio State Giving Program. Through this program, the Walmart Foundation supports organizations that create opportunities so people can live better. The Walmart Foundation State Giving Program strives to award grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the U.S.
The Ohio State Giving Program awarded more than $535,000 in 2008 and $800,000 in 2009 to local organizations such as the Ohio Child ID program, the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio and the Boys & Girls Clubs. In Ohio, a team of local associates determines needs within each state, review eligible grant applications and make funding recommendations to the Walmart Foundation.
"Corporate partners are invaluable to our efforts," said Ms. Hamler-Fugitt. "We thank Walmart for their leadership in joining the fight against hunger, especially during a holiday season when far too many Ohioans are struggling to put food on the table."
Ohio's foodbanks play a comprehensive role in hunger relief - from securing donations to collecting, warehousing and distributing food through the emergency food network. Nearly 3,000 foodbanks and member charities serve all 88 counties each year - with households that include children and seniors, urban and rural residents, those who are healthy or disabled, and those who are working or looking for work.
To be considered for support, perspective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program's online grant application. Eligible applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program's minimum funding criteria. Additional information about the program's funding guidelines and application process are available online at http://www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.
About Philanthropy at Walmart Stores, Inc.
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, Walmart - and its domestic and international foundations - gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit http://www.walmartfoundation.org/.
About the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks
OASHF is Ohio's largest charitable response to hunger, representing 12 foodbanks and 3,000 member charities including food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters. Last year, OASHF and its network of providers distributed more than 113.7 million pounds of food and grocery items. For more information regarding Ohio foodbanks and Ohio's hunger relief programs, please visit OASHF online at http://www.oashf.org/ or call 614/221-4336.
For more information about the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks or the Ohio Benefit Bank or to determine potential eligibility for public benefits, visit http://www.obb.ohio.gov/ or call 1-800-648-1146.
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Walmart Stores, Inc.
CONTACT: Tim Miller or Diane Hurd +1-614-224-0600; or Lisa Hamler-Fugitt
of the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks, +1-614-221-4336; or Megan
Grote or Edward Howard for Walmart Stores, Inc., +1-937-751-8063
Web Site: http://www.walmartfoundation.org/
http://www.oashf.org/
http://www.obb.ohio.gov/
