Walmart kicks off '12 Days of Giving' Facebook campaign with $100K in grants
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — With the holiday season now underway, Walmart has started announcing the winners of its second annual "12 Days of Giving" campaign.
On Dec. 10, its first day of giving, Walmart awarded $100,000 to 10 nonprofits for their work to feed hungry children in local communities. The gift is part of the more than $1.5 million that Walmart will give away to 140 grant recipients in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. over the next 12 days.
The winning nonprofits were selected from more than 21,677 nominations submitted in November by Facebook users who described the community impact made by their favorite nonprofit.
"The number of nominations from around the country this year was truly extraordinary — nearly four times as many nominations as last year's campaign," stated Sylvia Mathews Burwell, president of the Walmart Foundation. "We were inspired by the support from thousands of people around the country who took the time to nominate organizations they felt needed assistance this holiday season. By helping us to identify those organizations doing great work, we will be able to make an impact in the local communities that need it most."
Submissions were initially reviewed by Walmart associates from across the company and then a panel from the Walmart Foundation selected the winning organizations that focus on providing basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing as well as services such as medical care and job training. The winners have been organized into categories to be announced on each of the "12 Days" and will be spotlighted on the Live Better tab on Walmart's Facebook page daily through Dec. 21:
- Day 1: Feeding Our Children;
- Day 2: Supporting Our Seniors;
- Day 3: Honoring Those Who Give (volunteers);
- Day 4: Recognizing the Face of Hunger;
- Day 5: Building a Brighter Future (children);
- Day 6: Supporting our Military and Veterans;
- Day 7: Fueling Lifelong Careers (job training);
- Day 8: Helping Communities Rebuild (disaster relief);
- Day 9: Providing Shelter;
- Day 10: Fighting Hunger;
- Day 11: Shaping Healthier Futures (medical and emotional support); and
- Day 12: Providing Warmth to Our Neighbors (clothing donations).
The organizations honored and awarded $10,000 each on Dec. 10 include:
- Angels of Action;
- Bags of Hope Central Florida;
- Blessings in a Backpack – Blackshear Elementary;
- Community Services Clearinghouse Inc.;
- Community's Child;
- Feed Lucas County Children;
- Help 4 Kids;
- Kids Food Basket;
- Three Square Food Bank; and
- Westmoreland Community Action.