Wal-Mart Foundation donates $4M to America's Second Harvest

CHICAGO The Wal-Mart Foundation lent its support to America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network with a donation of $4 million for the organization's BackPack Program as well as other initiatives.

The BackPack Program, which currently operates in 40 states and Washington D.C., provides food to at-risk children on weekends and out-of-school periods when federal breakfast and lunch programs are not available. Backpacks filled with nonperishable and easily prepared foods are filled and discreetly distributed to children on the last day before the weekend or holiday vacation.

Wal-Mart first partnered with America's Second Harvest in 2005 for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Since then, Wal-Mart has contributed and helped to raise nearly $15 million for America's Second Harvest food banks.

"At Wal-Mart, we work to assist the communities we serve the best way we can," said Margaret McKenna, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation. "Through our partnership with America's Second Harvest, we are feeding individuals and families in need in our communities all across America. Over the years, our customers and associates have shown they are passionate about supporting food banks, and we at Wal-Mart are proud to assist them."

Thanks to a portion of Wal-Mart's $4 million contribution, select food banks will receive grants to be used to purchase food and supplies for the program. Wal-Mart began supporting the BackPack Program in 2006, and with a contribution of nearly $1.5 million, 24 food banks were able to participate for the first time and 33 additional food banks received grants to expand their existing BackPack programs. As a result, 492,000 backpacks filled with approximately 3 million pounds of food were distributed to hungry children.

"We are delighted that Wal-Mart has made such an incredible commitment to ending hunger in America, and we are proud to count them among our strongest supporters," said Vicki Escarra, president and ceo of America's Second Harvest. "Expanding food distribution and feeding more children [are] among our most critical priorities. Wal-Mart's recent contributions will have a tremendous effect on the lives of thousands of Americans living with chronic food insecurity."