Walmart reports increase in global giving

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Walmart announced that, through the Walmart Foundation, it has donated $319 million in cash and $480 million in in-kind contributions around the globe during the fiscal year ending Jan. 31. According to Walmart, the company's U.S. giving grew by 64%, largely due to donations of produce, meats, poultry and other nutritious food to local food banks from Walmart stores, Sam's Club locations and distribution centers.

"For many years we have used our size and scale to develop programs that have a positive impact on the serious social issues in the U.S. and around the globe," said Bill Simon, president and CEO of Walmart U.S. "Our funding is helping families put nutritious meals on kitchen tables, break barriers to finding jobs and gain access to a quality education. Through the programs that we support, millions of people are overcoming challenges and living better lives."

Walmart's charitable donations in the fiscal year 2011 include:

• 
  

  $732 million in cash and in-kind gifts in the U.S., up from $467 million in fiscal year ending 2010;

  
  


• 
  

  $66.8 million in cash and in-kind gifts in international markets, up from $45 million in fiscal year ending 2010;

  
  


• 
  

  $114 million from Walmart's customers and associates through in-store giving programs that benefit local charities; and

  
  


• 
  

  $913 million in total charitable contributions from Walmart, its Foundations, its customers and its associates around the globe in fiscal year ending 2011.