Walmart kicks off '12 Days of Giving' campaign

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart has launched a Facebook campaign that is looking to aid local organizations that are providing such basic needs as food, shelter, clothing and baby supplies to their respective communities.

The "12 Days of Giving" campaign invites Walmart Facebook fans to nominate local nonprofits now through Nov. 30. How it works: Visitors can nominate local organizations by submitting a 200-word description, which must include details of how the nonprofit impacts its local community. The description also must be accompanied by photos that illustrate how the nonprofit helps families make ends meet. The photos, Walmart said, will be featured in a gallery on the page that will highlight submissions throughout the campaign.

A panel from Walmart's charitable arm, the Walmart Foundation, will review submissions and select the grant recipients, which will be announced on Facebook daily from Dec. 12 to Dec. 23.

"Many of our Facebook fans make charitable donations and talk with each other about special needs in their communities, especially during the holidays," Walmart senior director of social media Wanda Young said. "We wanted to go where these conversations are already happening and give users the opportunity to take the next step by nominating organizations they feel are providing especially critical services."