Walmart launches '12 Days of Giving' Facebook campaign

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Monday that it has kicked off its "12 Days of Giving" campaign, awarding over $1.5 million to nonprofits that were nominated by Facebook users. By the end of the campaign, 145 grant recipients in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, will be honored. Twenty-five nonprofits that have stepped up to fight hunger are receiving a total of $130,000 on the first day of giving.



Walmart's 12-day call for submissions resulted in more than 5,400 nominations from Facebook users who shared photos and short descriptions of a nonprofit's impact in its local community. A panel from the Walmart Foundation reviewed submissions and selected winners with a focus on organizations that are providing basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing and baby supplies.



"The response to our campaign was incredible – the organizations selected and the extraordinary people behind them are rising to the occasion, using their time and talents to make an impact in their local communities," said Julie Gehrki, senior director at the Walmart Foundation. "The selected nonprofits reflect some of the most pressing issues facing our country today.”



In total, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are providing more than $19 million in grants this holiday season.