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Walmart: Commitment
to our Communities
Walmart is improving the quality of life in communities across the nation and around the globe. From recruiting workers to eradicating hunger to revitalizing urban cities, Walmart uses its size and scale to develop programs that have a positive impact on serious social issues worldwide.
Walmart stores serve customers and members more than 200 million times per week at more than 9,000 retail units under 60 different banners in 15 countries. A $419 billion retail giant, Walmart employs more than 2.1 million associates worldwide, including nearly 1.4 million in the United States. Its not only one of the largest private employers in the U.S., but the largest in Mexico and one of the largest in Canada as well. Beyond employment opportunity, Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability and community giving. Thats why the retailer supports causes important to local communities, works hard to do its part in protecting the planet, and strives to conserve national resources for generations to come. Walmarts mission is to help people live better inside and outside the walls of Walmart stores and Sams Club locations. Take Walmarts entry into New York. It is not just about looking to bring jobs and affordable groceries to the city. The company has challenged its executives to look for ways to make a long-lasting impact by funding programs that address critical needs, such as education. Newly released charitable giving numbers show Walmart is doing just that. This past fiscal year, donations to NYC charities totaled more than $4 million. Saving people money to help them live better was Sam Waltons goal when he opened the doors to the first Walmart store more than 40 years ago. Walmart works hard every day in all markets to deliver on this promise and operates with the same level of integrity and respect its founder put in place. It is because of these values and culture that Walmart continues to make a difference in the lives of its employees,customers, and its communities.
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Answering a Call to Action for Military Families
As one of the nations largest private employers of Americas veterans and those on active duty, Walmart values military experience. When First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden announced a call to action in support of military families, Walmart was among the first corporations to help through its Military Family Promise. This program ensures that Walmart associates called to active military duty will continue to be paid any difference in their salary if they earn less money during their military assignment. Whats more, Walmart associates called to active duty, or associates who are military spouses, are guaranteed a job at a nearby Walmart store or Sams Club if they must relocate to a different part of the country in response to a military transfer. Our nations military men and women returning home from duty are in need of jobs, education, and services to help them re-acclimate to life back home. Walmart is responding to those needs with its five-year $10 million commitment to support nonprofits that aid veterans in their pursuit of job training or higher education. As part of that commitment, the Walmart Foundation recently awarded two new grants. The first is a two-year, $1 million grant to support the continued development and expansion of the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) program, a business development initiative provided through a network of some of the best business schools in the country. EBV was founded in 2007 to offer training in entrepreneurship and small business management to post-9/11 veterans with disabilities resulting from their military service. The goal of the program is to open the door to economic opportunity for veterans by developing competencies in the many steps and activities associated
Walmart is committed to supporting military fmilies.
with creating and sustaining an entrepreneurial venture. Since its inception, graduates have been responsible for the creation of more than 150 new small businesses. In all, the gift from the Walmart Foundation will help send 300 veterans with disabilities to entrepreneurship bootcamps at one of Walmarts university partners as well as facilitate the expansion of the program to two additional schools. The funds will also support small business training for more than 100 military family members. The second grant of $500,000 was awarded to the SCORE Foundation to support the new
Veterans First Launch Initiative. The program will help accelerate veterans ability to start a business. In 2011, SCORE aims to provide mentoring and training to more than 16,000 veterans, yielding an estimated 3,000 business startups. Walmart is proud to recognize the important role the military and their families play in the nation. And it will continue to strive to support their heroism in a variety of ways, whether its actively recruiting former military personnel or providing access to behavioral health services for veterans.
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Putting People Back to Work
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to funding workforce training and development. One example is a $2.5 million grant awarded to Goodwill Industries Beyond Jobs program, which provides single mothers with the tools they need to find employment, succeed in the workplace, and gain long-term financial stability. The funding supports the program at Goodwill agencies in Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles County, and New York City through 2012. Each participant receives job skills training and assistance with job placement. The program also supports each womans continued success by designing an individualized, holistic plan that outlines how they will retain their jobs and advance in their careers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 26% of all children now grow up in families headed by single mothers, many of whom face significant struggles. Single mothers are twice as likely to be unemployed as married women and, during the current economic crisis, the unemployment rate for single mothers has ballooned to 12.3%, the highest rate ever recorded according to the National Womens Law Center. Recognizing that landing a job is only one step on the road to success, Beyond Jobs also provides single mothers with continued financial education, early education and childcare assistance, and connections to healthy food and nutrition initiatives. One participant is already seeing success after entering the Beyond Jobs program at Goodwill Industries of Southern California in November of 2010. Thirty-two year-old Rachal Underwood secured a job as a home health aide upon graduating from the 18-week training program. Unable to find work after relocating from Atlanta, the former legal assistant eagerly signed up. I was always helping my family members when they got sick. I decided to make it a caskills, accelerate their job search, and build confidence. So far this year, the Walmart Foundation has given $2 million in donations, helping to expand the Going Places Network by Walmart to 60 affiliate locations across the U.S. Over the past few years, Dress for Success has witnessed an increase in female jobseekers with post four-year college degrees who have been out of work for an extended period due to the economy. A recent employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics bears out this fact, revealing that nearly 44% of the jobless have been unemployed for 27 weeks or more. Dress for Success is already a leader in employment retention for disadvantaged women, but with this generous grant from Walmart, we will significantly expand our work in job preparation and career advancement, says Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide. The women we serve across the country will now have access to support and services for every phase of their professional lives, starting with the job search and leading to sustained employment and self-sufficiency. Dress for Success has more than 113 job training offices in 10 countries and has served an estimated 40,000 women last year on the national front. More than 50% of Dress for Success clients in the U.S. are women of color and more than 70% are mothers. The Going Places Network by Walmart gives women the added confidence they need to ace job interviews and re-enter the workforce. About 300 of Walmarts New York-based associates were recently on call to review resumes, provide career advice, and conduct mock interviews at Dress for Success branches across the Big Apple. We birthed this concept of the Going Places Network by Walmart as a safety net program, says Gordon. It allows for that woman who came in and got a suit for an interview, but who didnt land the job, to get the support
Rachal Underwood benefited from a Walmart-funded job training program
reer. I fell in love with helping the elderly, especially clinical work, says the single mother of a three-year-old son. Underwood loves the extensive hands-on training and mentoring that the Beyond Jobs program offers participants. They make sure you stand on your own two feet and live above the poverty level. As someone who is a frequent Walmart customer, it feels good to know that they are contributing [to the community] and helping people live better lives in this economy.
Walmart is Going Places with Dress for Success
Another women-focused program to benefit from the Walmart Foundation is Dress for Success Worldwide. The nonprofit provides professional attire and resources for thousands of women, helping them attain professional
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Facts & Stats
Walmart offers the opportunity to build careers. Nearly 70% of store management joined the company as hourly associates. Walmart is a diverse employer with more than 249,000 African American associates, 171,000 Hispanic associates, 42,000 Asian associates, 15,000 American Indian and Alaskan Native associates, and 6,000 Pacific Islander associates. The company employs more than 850,000 women and more than 430,000 mature associates age 50 and older. Potential associates know that Walmart provides good jobs with competitive pay and benefits. The average full-time hourly wage for Walmart stores is $11.75 and it is even higher in urban areas. Additionally, both full-time and part-time associates are eligible for health benefits, making Walmart among the nations largest providers of private sector health insurance. OTHER EMPlOYEE BENEFITS: Walmart matches 401(k) contributions up to 6%. l Walmarts Associate Stock Purchase Plan offers a company match of 15% up to the first $1,800 purchased each Plan year. l Walmarts Associate Discount Card for associates, spouses, and dependents offers a 10% discount on regularly priced general merchandise and fresh produce at Walmart stores. l All Sams Club associates are given complimentary Sams Club memberships. l Walmart associates are eligible for discounts on travel, entertainment, and more. l Walmart offers a retirement account rollover. l Walmart offers military differential pay. l Walmart associates get paid time off, including holidays, vacations, personal and bereavement days, and jury duty.
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It started out with Roldan going to Dress for Success for a suit, attending the Going Places Network meetings, and later volunteering at the local Dress for Success branch in her Bronx hometown. In February 2010, Dress for Success helped her attend The Workshop In Business Opportunities (WIBO) 16-week program, How to Build a Growing Profitable Business. Roldan, a licensed cosmetologist, aspired to open up her own day spa. The WIBO program, which was launched in Harlem in 1966, is the equivalent of a mini-M.B.A. program. Due to private support, the workshop is free. But it was during a Dress for Success and QVC national makeover day in April 2010 that Roldan met none other than CEO and professional makeup artist to the stars Bobbi Brown. Roldans candid, enthusiastic responses to questions about makeup targeted at African American women led to her getting hired on the spot. It is great to know that there is an organization like Walmart out there that sees the full potential of Dress for Success, says Roldan. Walmart is helping create awareness about programs and opportunities that are available for women who are going through tough financial situations, especially minority women.
Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress For Success Worldwide
she needs. The women in the program meet every week to network with other job seekers, attend workshops, participate in mock interviews, and receive career coaching. Says Gordon, Its exciting for us to be partnered up with the nations largest private employer. Walmart recognizes the value of skilled confident women in the workplace. Being partnered with an employer of this magnitude is helping our organization and our women jobseekers. Someone who knows this all too well is Lyneese Roldan. After working nine years at New Yorks Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, Roldan lost her job as a facilities coordinator in the cancer research center in 2009. Today, the 42-year-old mom is a beauty team coordinator in the global education, artistry, and events department at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics. The opportunity came about as a result of the Going Places Network by Walmart.
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H H H H H H
Fighting Hunger in America
H H H H H H
Walmart is committed to fighting hunger in America and around the world. On a national level, the Walmart Foundation has committed $319 million in cash and $480 million in inkind contributions to U.S. nonprofits. That funding helps millions of families overcome challenges and live better lives. One exemplary partnership is the Walmart Fighting Hunger Together program in association with Feeding America food banks nationwide. Walmart made good on its $2 billion pledge through 2015 in food, cash, and equipment to help end hunger in America by donating more than 250 million pounds of foodthe equivalent of 197 million mealsto U.S. food banks last year. Walmarts partnership with local food banks means more fresh food can be directly given to those in need. As part of this undertaking, Walmart is also bringing breakfast to classrooms in public schools throughout the District of Columbia. A $400,000 gift will help feed thousands of children participating in breakfast programs at elementary, middle, and high schools in the city. The programs administrator, D.C. Hunger Solutions, seeks to improve the nutrition, health and well-being of low-income residents in the District. Breakfast has been shown to improve childrens academic performance, reduce hunger and food insecurity, and boost health. To that end, Walmart has granted a total of $3 million in funding to support school breakfast programs throughout Dallas, Little Rock, Memphis, Orlando, and Prince Georges County, Maryland.
the Walmart Foundation awarded a $5 million grant to Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) as part of its support of senior nutrition program organizations that
equipment needed in the fight to end senior hunger in local communities. And funding for MOWAAs Training Wheels Program will help affiliate state associations organize across the country. Many seniors struggle with hunger because of a lack of resources to access or prepare food due to limits in transportation, mobility, or health problems. MOWAAs member programs have the ability to deliver much needed, nutritious meals directly to seniors, and food preparation is culturally and medically sensitive to seniors who have high blood pressure, diabetes, or other conditions that should be taken into consideration. Borden says the average Meals On Wheels recipient is an African American woman living in the South. She rents, shes living in poverty, and shes raising a grandchild. More women are living longer and, in turn, they are outliving their financial resources. No senior should have to choose between paying rent, taking medicine, and eating meals.
Meals on Wheels recipient in Austin, TX
provide official services to more than six million seniors. The Meals on Wheels Association of America is the oldest and largest national nonprofit food service organization in the country, serving roughly one million meals daily. In reality, we need to feed two million more per day. With this grant and Walmarts continued support, we will be able to make a difference for millions of seniors in America who are going to bed hungry right now, says Enid Borden, president and CEO of MOWAA. Part of Walmarts funding comes in the form of Building the Future grants, which helps more than 100 local Meals On Wheels programs purchase stoves, refrigerators, trucks, and other
Walmart is one of the few organizations that have willingly joined in the crusade to end senior hunger. Their involvement goes beyond financial. Walmart associates are active Meals on Wheels volunteers, which makes Walmart even more of a valued partner, says Borden. This is the single most important thing I have done personally in my lifetime, she says. We have a 20/20 vision for this organization, and thats to end senior hunger by the year 2020.
Walmarts Crusade to Ensure That No Senior Goes to Bed Hungry
Most people think singularly, in terms of children, when talking about hunger relief efforts. But Walmart is a longstanding partner in national efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate senior hunger in the U.S. This year,
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Supporting Local Farmers and Providing Multicultural Business Opportunities
Walmart is increasing purchases of crops like apples and potatoes in Michigan, for example. And in the I-95 corridor along the East Coast, there is a high concentration of women- and minority-owned growers that will benefit as Walmart expands purchases of vegetables such as bell peppers, squash, and cucumbers to take advantage of the growing season in Florida and northward. The Delta states have a long history of cash crops, such as tobacco and cotton, that are in decline. Walmart is replacing these crops with produce such as blueberries in Mississippi and Arkansas where the longer growing season is ideal. Over the last four years, Walmart has launched multiple campaigns supporting locally-grown food such as Salute to Americas Farmers and the California Department of Food and Agricultures Buy California program. Walmarts relationship with U.S. suppliers extends beyond its support of local agriculture. The company does business with more than 2,500 minority- and women-owned enterprises. Direct and second-tier purchases from diverse suppliers have grown from $2 million to $10 billion since Walmart initiated a formalized program in 1994. Walmart is listed among Black Enterprises 40 Best Companies for Diversity, a roster in which one of the key measures is a commitment to supplier diversity. Walmart is also recognized as a Billion Dollar Roundtable company, a company that consistently buys products and services from diverse businesses and sustains the most mutually beneficial business relationships with their multicultural suppliers.
locally-grown produce in Oakland, CA
Walmart buys more U.S. agricultural products than any other retailer in the world. It supports farm communities by doubling its sales of locally sourced produce. This will account for 9% of all the produce it sells by the end of 2015. Walmart is broadening and accelerating its efforts to grow its food business in a more sustainable way, to help small- and mediumsized farmers lead a better life, to reduce the impact of agriculture on the land and sensitive ecosystems, and to bring customers more affordable and higher quality food. Understanding that consumers want to purchase quality products that help support the local economy, Walmart is committed to purchasing food from local growers. As part of that effort, Walmart supports Heritage Agriculture initiatives in key regions of the U.S. The Heritage Agriculture program reintroduces the cultivation of produce in areas where it once grew.
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REVITALIZING URBAN COMMUNITIES:
The Chicago Story
success to his son Gus Rickette Jr. who operates three locations in Chicago. In June 2010, Walmart announced the Chicago Community Investment Partnership, a five-year plan to open several dozen stores, create 10,000 jobs and 2,000 unionized construction jobs, generate more than $500 million in sales and property taxes, and develop charitable partnerships worth $20 million. Walmarts investment in the city of Chicago already includes six new stores with more on the way. The stores will be of varying shape and size and uniquely tailored to be a reflection of the neighborhood in which they are located. Two stores will be supercenters while the other four will be Walmart Market or Express outlets.
Walmart stores in Chicago have not only created new jobs, but increased entrepreneurship in the area
Walmart remains steadfast in pursuing opportunities that provide more convenient access to the jobs and low prices its stores can provide, especially in our inner cities. The goal is simple: to put people to work and provide affordable products in areas that need it most. The company already has locations in urban centers like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas and Atlanta, and is pursuing new locations in places like Washington, D.C. and New York City. One of the more recent examples of Walmarts commitment to revitalizing downtown neighborhoods can be found in the city of Chicago. Former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley championed economic development in the city and supported Walmart through the years. Since the opening of the first store in Chicago more than four years ago, Walmart has made a momentous impact. The store has revitalized the area by helping create more than 1,200 jobs, 22 new businesses, and more taxable revenue that can be used for vital services. The entry of Walmart into the Windy City marked the first massive rebuild in select communities. After the riots following the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., many areas had been left vacant and dormant, with no business activity in 40 years. Today, many Chi-town minority-owned businesses, from ad agencies to tech firms to vendors, have benefited by receiving Walmart contracts.
In Chicago today, some neighborhoods are experiencing 15% to 20% unemployment, and more than 600,000 city residents live in food deserts.
Whats more, Walmart now serves as the home of Uncle Remus restaurant, which is famous for its chicken. The restaurant is the only food vendor inside the retailers Chicago store. Chicagoan Gus Rickette Sr. founded the business in 1964, passing on his recipe for
Express stores are smaller locations, less than 30,000 square-feet, that mostly focus on affordable grocery items, pharmacy/ health products, and smaller amounts of general merchandise. Walmart Market stores range in size from 30,000 to 60,000 squarefeet and provide a wider assortment of fresh groceries, bakery, and delicatessen services. The Walmart supercenter, typically 150,000 to 200,000 square-feet, continues to serve as a one-stop destination that provides for full service grocery needs and a wide range of general merchandise. According to Julie Murphy, Senior Vice President, Walmart U.S., Former Mayor Daley had been a champion of economic development in the city and his support of Walmart through the years allowed us the opportunity to do what we do best: open stores that create jobs and offer a broad assortment of products at everyday low prices. Moving forward, we will continue to identify sites in Chicagos food deserts while also looking for opportunities to help even more Chicagoans save money and live better.
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Walmarts
Positive Impact on a Chicago Community
renewed hope to my community. Where four years ago there were minimal shopping options in our community, today, along with Walmart there is a CVS, Burlington Coat Factory, Food4Less, Cook Brothers, two banks, and numerous other businesses that have opened close to the new Walmart. Hundreds if not thousands of Chicago residents on the West Side are now able to conveniently work and shop in their own neighborhood in these uncertain economic times. I applaud Walmart for its willingness to take risks and its willingness to invest in those families, neighborhoods, and entire communities that have been virtually ignored. Walmart has proved to be a good corporate partner with the 37th Ward of Chicago and should be heralded for providing a strong incentive to other local and national retailers to open locations in the Austin neighborhood and provide jobs for those who need them the most. Further proof of Walmart being a good corporate community partner is the millions of dollars it has donated to local nonprofits.
EMMA MITTS
Alderman for the 37th Ward, representing the West Side of Chicago for the past 11 years and winning re-election to a fourth term.
I grew up watching my mother stretch our familys budget by shopping for Walmarts value, quality goods and everyday low prices. I have seen that the philosophy works and thats why I reached out to Walmart and asked it to build a store for our Chicago community. My community needed jobs, economic resources, and increased retail options. Walmart has provided all three and much more since opening in 2006. Anyone who visits my ward can see how new businesses have risen from vacant lots and formerly abandoned manufacturing facilities, bringing jobs for real Chicago residents and a tangible sense of
Walmart Helps Minority Businesses Rebuild Communities
A trained architect, Akintonde worked for a general contractor for a decade before striking out on his own. Ujamaa is an MBE certified company with deep roots in the community. The companys focus is to provide affordable and dependable general construction and management to urban projects for institutional retail clients. The firm also participates in several charity and community programs. For a minority business, Walmart is a great company to partner with. They do a good job in training and teaching you how to do business with them the right way. That experience translates into not just more business with Walmart but with other clients as well, says Akintonde. Walmart is very good about business development. They have helped to develop our business. We gradually increased the type of projects and the complexity of the projects we work on. We started with smaller remodels and have since graduated to building the new 150,000 square-foot supercenter. We are also building a Walmart Express. And as a general contractor, Ujamaa is able to hire other local minority businesses to work on remodeling and building the Walmart stores. Our tagline is Rebuilding our communities one block at a time. My vision for Chicago is for the South Side to look like the rest of the city in terms of being equally developed.
JIMMY A. AkINTONDE
President & Founder Ujamaa Construction Co.
Walmarts efforts in Chicago also reflect a national commitment to ensure that minorities and women are part of its expansion process. As Walmart builds and remodels more stores in Chicago, it will continue to make certain that minority- and women-owned businesses play a pivotal role. When the Austin store was remodeled in 2010, the project was managed by an African American owned company, Ujamaa Construction. More than 50% of the total project was awarded to minority- and women-owned companies. Ujamaa and Power Construction Co., another minority firm, will build Walmarts new superstore in Chatham. Native Chicagoan Jimmy A. Akintonde founded Ujamaa Construction Inc. in 2002. I wanted to be a part of a working organization that paid an equal amount of attention to social responsibility, profitability, and citizenship within Chicago and near suburban communities.
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