Walmart touts giving

Executives with Walmart and the Walmart Foundation touted their philanthropic awards totaling $24 million in Louisiana and $1.3 billion globally.

Criticized at times for suppressing its associates’ wages and debating against a federal hike to the minimum wage, Walmart officials pointed out that they donated more than 12 million pounds of food to local food banks in Louisiana and raised its global philanthropic commitment by more than $244 million over the past year.

“We are grateful for the Walmart Foundation’s financial support which has allowed us to expand our Hot and Healthy Lunch Program at the Alliance House Drop In Center,” said Melissa Silva, executive director of the Mental Health Association for Greater Baton Rouge. “Since most of our clients live below the poverty line, the balanced meal received at the Drop In Center may be the only healthy meal selection for that day.”

Walmart’s food donations provide for nearly 11 million Louisiana meals in the last fiscal year, officials said, through its partnership with the Greater Baton Rouge Food bank to aid underserved youth.

“Walmart continues to be a great community partner that is dedicated to providing nutritional food options for children in need,” said Mike Manning, CEO of Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank. “Good nutrition and health meals are essential to the overall physical health ad mental growth of children.”

Louisiana nonprofits to receive grants from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation include:

• Blessings in a Backpack

• Community Center of St. Bernard

• Community Investors

• Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana

• Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank

• Louisiana Center for Children’s Rights

• Louisiana Food bank Association

• Ozanam Inn

• Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana

• Society of St. Vincent De Paul Archdiocesan Counsel of New Orleans

• St. Landry Council on Aging

• The Food Bank of Covington Louisiana

• The Salvation Army