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Community Corner

The Walmart Foundation Awards $260,000 to Iowa Nonprofits

Kristin Merchant, Neighbor
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On behalf of The Walmart Foundation and its Iowa State Giving Program, Walmart will award $260,000 to Iowa nonprofits including Central Iowa Shelter & Services, Food Bank of Iowa, The Heritage Agency, Northeast Iowa Food Bank and Iowa Workforce Development Foundation.
“Through the generous grants given by Walmart and The Walmart Foundation, our nonprofit organizations can continue running fundamental programs that ensure the wellbeing of Iowans,” said Governor Branstad.  “Walmart is a proven conduit for significant social change so we are thankful for The Foundation’s support of Iowa nonprofits.”

Walmart and The Walmart Foundation look for organizations that address the needs of the communities they serve and make a significant social impact. The following organizations received a Walmart Foundation grant to fund vital local programs including:

  • Central Iowa Shelter & Services will receive a $25,000 Iowa State Giving grant to assist with its Community Kitchen program that prepares and delivers more than 90,000 meals a year to meal sites across the Iowa metro.
  • Food Bank of Iowa will be awarded a $75,000 Iowa State Giving grant and an additional Walmart Associate Choice award of $50,000 to fund its Red to Green program aimed at distributing more pounds of food per persons in poverty to help relieve the hungry in Iowa.
  • The Heritage Agency will receive a $30,000 Iowa State Giving grant to support its Senior Nutrition program that will assist with funding 40 meal sites in a seven county region, providing nutritious meals, socialization and activities for the elderly.
  • Northeast Iowa Food Bank will be award a $50,000 Iowa State Giving grant to assist with upgrading equipment in order to better provide nutritious food and grocery products to nonprofit organizations and individuals in NortheastIowa.
  • Iowa Workforce Development Foundation will receive a $30,000 Walmart grant to assist with its Skilled Iowa program that provides Iowa residents access to education and training to better their career opportunities.
“Walmart has a strong belief in giving back to organizations that keep communities thriving through unwavering support of helping those in need,” Walmart market manager, Todd Carr. “Each of these organizations has proved to be a vital source of support for Iowa and will continue to make a widespread impact on humanity with the financial assistance of the Walmart Foundation. We look forward to watching each of these nonprofits prosper in their area of expertise.”

The grants will be presented to the nonprofits on September 19 at 1 p.m. During the ceremony, Governor Branstad will also recognize the nonprofits for their continual efforts of ensuring that Iowa residents can live better.

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