Walmart Named Corporate Partner of the Year by Klein JCC Emergency Food and Home Delivered Meals Program in Philadelphia
On October 27, 2011, Walmart was honored by the Klein JCC’s Emergency Food and Home Delivered Meals program as corporate partner of the year. Klein JCC is the largest senior center in the Philadelphia-area and provides support to more than 45,000 seniors annually through a diverse array of programs. As a Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) affiliate, Klein JCC and Walmart have formed a strong relationship. Walmart has provided Klein JCC with support for a variety of events and activities, as well as associate volunteer time and in-kind donations. Last March, Walmart stood with Mayor Nutter and Klein JCC as proud partners in the Mayors for Meals event, which engaged more than 1,100 mayors across the country in delivering meals on a single day.
At the recognition luncheon Walmart and the Meals on Wheels Association of America also made a special announcement. Led by Walmart Regional General Manager Tom McAloon, a $50,000 commitment was made enabling the Klein JCC’s Kosher Meals On Wheels program to construct an on-site greenhouse, shed and an outdoor freezer. Once the greenhouse is constructed in the spring, the Klein JCC will begin growing fresh produce to use in meals for homebound seniors. Additionally, the contribution will allow the Klein JCC to recruit and engage more volunteers to help prepare an additional 5,000 nutritious meals annually to serve some 500 more area homebound seniors.
“Thanks to the Walmart-MOWAA grant we now have the additional financial support needed to expand our services and feed more of our seniors in need in our community,” said Sue Aistrop, hunger relief volunteer manager for the Klein JCC. “This grant will help to feed seniors now and long into the future. We are excited and enthusiastic about this wonderful opportunity to expand our highly successful Kosher Meals On Wheels program.”
Earlier this year, the Walmart Foundation announced a $5-million donation to MOWAA as part of a $2-billion commitment to support hunger relief efforts through 2015. It is the largest donation ever made to MOWAA by a corporate partner. More than $1-million of that $5-million donation will fund Vision Grants of up to $100,000 to 20 MOWAA member programs. An additional $1.4-million from the Walmart Foundation donation was recently awarded to almost 100 MOWAA member programs as Impact Grants of up to $20,000 to purchase stoves, refrigerators, trucks and other items that are critical to help serve seniors in need. The $2.4-million for the “BuildingThe Future” program is the largest grant amount that MOWAA has ever distributed to its Member Programs.
Please check www.walmartphiladelphia.com regularly for updates on the construction of the Klein JCC green house.
