Walmart kicks off hunger-relief effort

Bentonville, Ark. Wal-Mart Stores said Tuesday it has launched its holiday-giving initiative that will provide $32 million in monetary and in-kind donations to charitable organizations across the United States.

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation kicked-off "Walmart Gives Back;" Executives from Feeding America and Meals On Wheels joined Walmart to launch the campaign by sending off a convoy of 35 trucks donated by the Walmart Foundation.

Loaded with Great Value-branded products and fresh apples, the new refrigerator trucks will arrive at Feeding America food banks in Miami, Indianapolis, New Orleans, Boston, Memphis and 30 other communities in time for Thanksgiving.

Feeding America estimates that these refrigerator trucks will enable the food banks to transport up to 52.5 million lbs. of food, the equivalent of 41 million additional meals, per year.

Since last November, Walmart stores and Sam's Club locations said they have donated more than 90 million pounds of food to Feeding America food banks.

In addition, the Walmart Foundation announced on Tuesday a $2.2 million grant to Meals On Wheels Association of America.