The Westmoreland County Food Bank received a $75,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation to purchase a brand new refrigerated sprinter van which was unveiled earlier today during a ribbon cutting ceremony. The van will support the Westmoreland County Food Bank’s programs and will be used to pick up and deliver daily food donations.

The Westmoreland County Food Bank is a private, not-for-profit organization that supplies meals to individuals in need through a network of food assistance programs in Westmoreland County. They provide food to soup kitchens, food pantries, emergency shelters, and child care programs. In 2017, the Westmoreland County Food Bank provided 9 million pounds of food to more than 31,000 individuals.

“Not only is the staff of the Westmoreland County Food Bank on the frontlines fighting hunger and food insecurity each and every single day, but they are innovating their programs and working to empower the individuals they serve,” said Marcy Sloneker, Store Manager of the Delmont Walmart Supercenter. “Walmart could not be more proud to support their efforts.”

In addition to picking up and delivering daily food donations, the refrigerated sprinter van will be used to support the Food Bank’s Pantry Distribution and Fresh Express programs, which provides items like fresh and frozen foods. The van will also support the organization’s ongoing operations like its outreach and expansion project, a backpack program that delivers a two-day supply of meals to local students during the school year, and it’s the MilitaryShare program that services military families through a partnership with the Pennsylvania National Guard.

“This grant will help us to fulfill our organization’s mission to enable all Westmoreland County residents who are either hungry or at risk of hunger to have access to food. None of our neighbors should ever go hungry and with the purchase of this new van, we will able to collect donations easily and distribute to those in need quicker,” said Jennifer Miller, Director of Development at the Westmoreland County Food Bank. “Our local Westmoreland County Walmart stores have long been supporters of our programs and donate food to us on a regular basis. Without their contributions, we would struggle to meet the demands we face and our partnership with Walmart has helped our programs to succeed.”

The Westmoreland County Food Bank’s grant was made possible through the Walmart Foundation’s Pennsylvania State Giving Program. The Walmart Foundation State Giving Program strives to award grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the U.S. and create opportunities so people can live better. Through this program, combined with other Foundation programs and corporate grants, last year in Pennsylvania, Walmart, Sam’s Club locations and the Walmart Foundation awarded more than $19.7 million to local organizations. Giving by the Walmart Foundation in Pennsylvania was $1.1 million in total grants to 19 recipients in 2015.

To be considered for support, prospective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application. Applicants must have a current 501(c) 3 tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum eligibility criteria. Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online at www.giving.walamart.com.

About Philanthropy at Walmart:

By using our strengths to help others, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation create opportunities for people to live better every day. We have stores in 28 countries, employing more than 2.2 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. We are helping people live better by accelerating upward job mobility and economic development for the retail workforce; addressing hunger and making healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality; and building strong communities where we operate and inspiring our associates to give back. Whether it is helping to lead the fight against hunger in the United States with $2 billion in cash and in-kind donations or supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment through a series of grants totaling $10 million to the Women in Factories training program in Bangladesh, China, India and Central America, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are not only working to tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to inspire solutions for long-lasting systemic change. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit http://www.foundation.walmart.com.

About The Westmoreland County Food Bank:

The Westmoreland County Food Bank is a private, not-for-profit organization that supplies food to hungry people through a network of food assistance programs in Westmoreland County. Our 43,000 square foot facility is located in Delmont, Pennsylvania. Of each dollar donated to WCFB, $.95 goes to food and food programs. We serve over 7,000 disadvantaged families each month throughout Westmoreland County. To learn more click here.

Contact:
Jennifer Miller, Director of Development, Westmoreland County Food Bank
P: 724-468-8660 ext. 15
Jennifer@westmorelandfoodbank.org

Caitlin O’Connor, for Walmart
C: 412-719-5366
Caitlin@ceislermedia.com