Walmart increases charitable giving

BENTONVILLE, Ark. Walmart announced that its charitable giving in the United States totaled more than $467 million in cash and in-kind gifts in fiscal year ending 2010 (FYE10, Feb. 1, 2009 to Jan. 31) -- an $89 million increase over the previous year's giving. In international markets, Walmart gave $45 million in cash and in-kind gifts.

Walmart said an area it focused on in the United States was food banks, reporting that it had donated more than 127 million pounds of food, an increase of 81 million pounds over its fiscal year 2008 totals.

"We've challenged ourselves to look at ways to make long-lasting impacts in communities around the globe by funding programs that address critical needs, like hunger, education and job training," said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. "Our business is growing and as a result we're fortunate that our charitable giving is increasing as well."

Other donations included $100 gift cards presented to 40,000 teachers through Walmart's Teacher Rewards program and more than 90,000 bottles of water, 24,000 blankets, 27,000 tents and more than 20,000 units of medical supplies like gauze and surgical masks for Haiti earthquake relief.

In addition, Walmart associates in the United States donated more than 1.5 million volunteer hours in 2009, a 25% increase over the previous fiscal year, the company reported.