COLORADO - Jan. 22, 2014 -The Walmart Foundation's Colorado State Giving Program has awarded $321,000 to eight Colorado nonprofits that are helping to fund vital local programs to improve education, women's economic empowerment, healthy eating and fighting hunger. The organizations include We Don't Waste Inc., Lapuente Home Inc., Care and Share Inc., Kids Aid, Project Angel Heart, Women's Resource Agency Inc., Broadway Assistance Center and Discover Goodwill of Southern and Western Colorado.

"When businesses take their responsibility to the community seriously everybody wins," said Governor John Hickenlooper. "We are fortunate that many businesses, like Walmart, partner with nonprofits across the state. Working together we are helping to make a difference and improve the lives of all Coloradans." 

The Walmart Foundation's Colorado State Giving Program awards grants to local organizations that address the needs of the communities they serve and make a significant social impact.

"Walmart is proud to support the efforts of these phenomenal organizations that make a huge impact in communities throughout Colorado," said Ben Hassing, Senior Vice President at Walmart. "Through State Giving Program, Walmart is able to donate funds directly to local organizations that, in turn, assist people who have the greatest need in our communities from providing nutritious food to the underserved to giving women in need help in becoming self sufficient to aiding those with disabilities."

The eight nonprofit organizations are:

We Don't Wastereceived a $65,000 grant to source food for the hungry.Lapuente Home Incorporated received a $55,000 grant to help provide food, shelter, and advocacy for the homeless and community members in crisis in Colorado's San Luis Valley.

"We are so thrilled to receive this grant from the Walmart Foundation," said Mary Ellen Huss, Director of the Food Bank Network of the San Luis Valley. "The food purchased will get distributed throughout the San Luis Valley utilizing our network of food pantries to serve clients where they are. We proudly utilize AmeriCorps members as well as community volunteers to aid us in the front lines fight against hunger in the San Luis Valley, and so we are able to provide over 34,000 food packages in a calendar year with the help of over 60 volunteers and only one staff person."  

Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Coloradowas awarded a $50,000 grant for their Children's Nutrition Initiative, a "Care and Share" program that provides nutritious food to vulnerable children.

 "The grant from Walmart Foundation will support our Children's Nutrition Initiative, a Care and Share program that provides nutritious food and alleviates hunger for vulnerable children who rely heavily on school nutrition programs as their main source of healthy meals," said Lynne Telford, President and CEO of Chare and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado. "These children and their families are at risk of hunger after school, on weekends, and during summer break.  Access to nutritious food ensures that children are better equipped to learn and grow.  We are truly grateful for Walmart Foundation's support of such an important program."Kids Aidreceived $40,000 to support the needs of children, with a primary focus on supplying food to hungry kids through their Backpack Program.

"Kids Aid is serving an increase of 200 students each week from the previous year and the Walmart Foundation grant will support the increase of food being distributed each week," said Mary Beth Luedtke, Program Director of Kids Aid. "The grant will also allow Kids Aid to expand the program to serve children over the summer months, a critical time to reach hungry kids who typically rely on meals while in school."

Project Angel Heartreceived a $30,000 grant toward their program to that delivers nutritious meals, at not cost, to Coloradoans coping with life-threatening illness.

"We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of the Walmart Foundation and their willingness to give back to the community," said Erin Pulling, President & CEO of Project Angel Heart. "Their support is invaluable and will help us prepare and deliver thousands of meals to some of Colorado's most vulnerable residents who are coping with life-threatening illness and have nowhere else to turn for their nutritional needs."

Women's Resource Agency received a $30,000 grant for their efforts to help empower women.

"The Women's Resource Agency empowers women and girls to attain and maintain self-sufficiency and economic independence," said Melissa Marts, executive director of the Women's Resource Agency.  "We are so excited to be the recipient of a Walmart Foundation grant.  This funding will help us reach out to the Latina population who earn considerably less than women from other races with only 13% having a college degree vs. 41% of white women."

Broadway Assistance Center received a $26,000 grant to help provide emergency assistance, hunger relief, health services and referrals to low-income families in need.

"The Walmart Foundation grant that the Broadway Assistance Center received will help to support our mission of providing emergency assistance, hunger relief, health services and referrals to people in need within the Denver Metro area," said Ed Taylor, Executive Director at the Broadway Assistance Center. "Broadway Assistance Center's distinctive program services focus on economic self-sufficiency and stability for low-income families and providing basic necessities for the homeless in our community. We are thankful for Walmart Foundation's support and generosity of such an important program."

Discover Goodwill of Southern and Western Colorado received a $25,000 grant to help empower individuals with disabilities and learning challenges.

"Discover Goodwill is most grateful for Walmart's significant funding and championing of our revolutionary Possibilities program," said Bradd Hafer, Assistant Director of Marketing & Communications for Discover Goodwill of Southern and Western Colorado. "Walmart Foundation's generous grant will enhance and expand our health and wellness programs and activities for developmentally and learning challenged individuals in our community-helping them build confidence and achieve greater independence, quality of life and community engagement."

In 2012, the Walmart Foundation and stores throughout the state awarded more than $14.3 million in cash and in-kind contributions to community groups that are positioned to address the needs of Colorado communities and make a significant social impact within Walmart's core areas of giving: Hunger Relief & Healthy Eating, Sustainability, Career Opportunity and Women's Economic Empowerment.

Earlier this year, Walmart's Colorado State Giving Program granted $289,000 to six nonprofits in Colorado including: Colorado Farm to Table Inc. (Salida), Community Food Share Inc. (Longmont), Hunger Free Colorado (Centennial), Kids In Need of Dentistry (Denver), Pikes Peak Community Action Agency Inc. (Colorado Springs) and Tri Lakes Cares (Monument).

To be considered for support, perspective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program's online grant application. Applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program's minimum eligibility criteria. Additional information about the program's funding guidelines and application process are available online at www.walmartfoundation.org/stategiving.

About Philanthropy at Walmart 

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally and giving back locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its core areas of giving: Hunger Relief & Healthy Eating, Sustainability, Career Opportunity and Women's Economic Empowerment. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States with a $2 billion commitment through 2015. Walmart has donated more than 1 billion meals to those in need across the country.foundation.walmart.com.



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"The grant from the Walmart Foundation will help support We Don't Waste with the ability to increase our mission of obtaining more nutritious food," said Arlan Preblud, Executive Director of We Don't Waste. "We Don't Waste is thankful for the support and generosity of the Walmart Foundation in aiding in our mission of increasing food security while reducing food waste."

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