I commend Wal-Mart in its efforts to support the Feeding America organization. I am familiar with that organization and know that many other corporations also contribute and I admire this from those who understand that we are all one community. I do not agree with some of Wal-Mart’s policies and for that reason I personally do not shop at Wal-Mart but I do admire their contributions and wish more corporations would make similar donations.

Tara:

What is Walmart's policy on donating nearly expired or past expired food?  I remember an old story from Modesto, California saying that you wouldn't do that any more.  This makes it sound as if you've reversed that, or is this the new stuff that these families are getting?

I am impressed that Walmart is taking a stand to fight hunger in America. No wonder it is doing well when some other stores fail.  I was also impressed today when the Walmart that I visited played traditional Christmas carols instead of only common pop songs like Jingle Bells.  Good Going!

2.5 million? Thats pretty low for a corporation that grosses more than most small countries. But any good deed should be aknowledged.

Thanks for your comment. All the food that is delivered to families through Feeding America is not expired and safe to eat. Most of the time, the food moves from Walmart store shelves to the tables of families in less than 24 hours!

As a WalMart associate, I am still surprised at the giving nature of the company.  I don't even know why.  It didn't really hit me until I spent a week in the wing of Children's Hospital with my son in the unit created from the donations gathered through the CMN.  Imagine my surpise when the plaque next to the door said "Donated by WalMart and Sam's Club."  I just figured that it was another sign that working for WalMart is a good thing. 

As for the feeding the nation program, the only thing I have to add is way to go!  What most people DON'T realize is that WalMart is always there to lend a hand to the community, be it the local community or our global community.  In regards to the donation of expired or nearly expired foods that someone had commented on, there are no places that will actually accept expired, or soon to expire, goods, at least not where I live.  I remember my dad telling me about his company wanting to donate frozen goods that had gone from production to cold storage and had never been out of the frozen state that were rejected because the date on them was approximately a week after the current date.  While the products were good for about another year past the "sell by" date, they were rejected and instead sold to the workers for next to nothing. 

As for the nay-sayer who commented "only 2.5 million?"-- all I have to add is that they need to check what WalMart does.  This was a single incidence, but this kind of thing is done often!  Think about who was there first after Katrina hit.....