Walmart supports summer services for kids

WASHINGTON — Walmart announced that it has launched a $25 million giving campaign aimed at filling the gaps created when schools close for the summer through its charitable arm, the Walmart Foundation.

Funding to more than 350 local nonprofit organizations will help expand nutrition, learning and employment services for elementary, middle and high school students throughout the 2011 summer months, the company reported.

Walmart said it would address the achievement gap between higher- and lower-income youth by focusing on three key areas:

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  Providing eight million meals to more than 85,000 school-age children in lower-income or inner-city areas by donating $7.8 million in funding to the YMCA of the USA, National Recreation and Park Association and community organizations in Atlanta; Birmingham, Ala.; Portland, Ore.; San Jose, Calif.; and other urban and rural communities;

  
  


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  Helping 20,000 kids access summer learning programs through a $11.5 million grant to the National Summer Learning Association to support programs in Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York, Sacramento, San Diego and Washington, D.C.; and

  
  


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  Providing summer jobs to more than 5,000 inner-city youth in Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, D.C. with the help of a $5 million grant.

  
  

Walmart's EVP corporate affairs, Leslie Dach stressed the company's commitment to children this summer. "Kids should have every opportunity to grow into successful adults, and we're doing our part to make sure that's the case this summer," Dach said. "From helping thousands of kids stay active and learn to supporting summer job programs and providing nutritious meals, we're committed to making a difference."