Charitable Giving - 2008-2009 Significant Developments

China Disaster Response

In 2008, Wal-Mart pledged more than $3 million (USD) for relief and reconstruction efforts in China following the devastating Wenchuan earthquake. Our Bharti Retail and Wal-Mart India associates in India and Seiyu associates in Japan made additional donations, as did many of our associates around the world. That same year, after severe winter storms in the region, our Company donated an additional $1 million (USD).

Feeding Our Neighbors

In November 2008, Walmart Stores U.S. partnered with Feeding America and committed to provide an estimated 90 million pounds of food annually — the equivalent of 70 million meals — to needy families by the end of 2009. Similarly, every month our Wal-Mart de Mexico stores donate more than 900 tons of food, representing an annual value of 293 million pesos ($26 million USD). In Brazil, our stores made food bank donations exceeding 495 tons in 2008 alone.

Helping Women Entrepreneurs

In September 2008, Wal-Mart made a $580,000 donation on behalf of Sam's Club to Count Me In, the leading national nonprofit provider of business resources and community support for women entrepreneurs building and growing their businesses.

Volunteerism Always Pays

Through the Wal-Mart Foundation's signature volunteerism initiative, called Volunteerism Always Pays (VAP), associates who volunteer with eligible organizations may request charitable contributions on the organizations' behalf. In 2008 alone, our associates in the U.S. volunteered more than 1 million hours with more than 10,000 local and national charitable organizations. In turn, the Wal-Mart Foundation contributed more than $8 million in matching donations to these charities.

Youth Build USA

In 2008, the Wal-Mart Foundation awarded a $5 million grant to support more than 400 students building affordable housing for low-income families. The grant is Youth Build's largest-ever, single corporate donation.