Walmart Announces $25 Million Initiative to Expand Summer Services for Kids

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have announced a $25 million campaign to provide meals, educational programs, and employment opportunities to school-age kids this summer.

Walmart plans to disburse funds to 350 nonprofits; in turn, those organizations will provide eight million meals to more than 85,000 students, offer educational programs to some 20,000 children, and find summer jobs for more than 5,000 inner-city youth in Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, and Washington, D.C. According to the National Summer Learning Association, unequal access to learning opportunities and nutritious meals during the summer months are among the biggest contributors to the educational achievement gap between higher- and lower-income youth. Walmart's campaign aims to reach more than 110,000 elementary, middle, and high school students.

"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," said Walmart executive vice president of corporate affairs Leslie Dach. "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."

“Walmart Launches $25 Million Effort to Expand 2011 Summer Services for Kids.” Walmart Press Release 6/23/11.

Primary Subject: Children and Youth
Secondary Subject(s): Education, Agriculture/Food, Elementary and Secondary Education
Location(s): California, Chicago, Detroit, Illinois, Los Angeles, Michigan, National, New York, New York City, Washington, D.C.

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