BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores donated a record $196 million to charity last year through the Wal-Mart Foundation.
needs; economic and workforce development programs; and environmental issues -- with all money going to causes designated at store level to charitable organizations within their respective communities.
"We empower each store to determine the organizations it wants to donate to from within the four categories," a company spokeswoman told SN.
According to the Foundation's mission statement: "Our grassroots style of giving enables our associates to identify and support organizations that are improving the quality of life right in their local communities.
"[Our associates] direct 100% of our funding initiatives in their own communities.
"When we support national causes, we require that funds stay in the community to benefit the area where they are raised."
Of the $196 million raised last year, Wal-Mart said associates and customers contributed over $500,000 every day, or more than $3 million every week, to 100,000 organizations.
