Walmart Foundation Grant Supports Chesterfield County First Steps Blessings Resource Center
Chesterfield County First Steps has received a $30,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program for its new Blessings Resource Center.
Blessings Resource Center, a community partnership to strengthen families, will open on October 15 and provide emergency food for needy families, information about and access to family assistance services, access to First Steps’ family strengthening and school readiness programs, and health/nutrition information and referrals.
“Chesterfield County First Steps truly appreciates the generosity and the compassion of the Walmart Foundation,” said First Steps executive director Karen Martini-Odom. “This grant will help establish the infrastructure for our food bank operation and enable Blessings Resource Center to supply families in need with a variety of healthy food in times of crisis.” Martini said that Walmart Distribution Center volunteers also completed much of the renovation work on the inside of the Blessings facility on the campus of First Baptist Church.
“The local Walmart Distribution Center has long been an exceptional corporate citizen in the Pageland community”, said Martini, “and a dependable business partner to Chesterfield County First Steps. More than 50 Walmart volunteers gave their time to help us help families.”
"By delivering diverse services from a single site, the Blessings Resource Center is a very worthwhile idea with the potential to benefit many families in need in Chesterfield County," said Brooke Mueller, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations. "Walmart is honored to provide financial support for this effort and the positive community impact that it will have."
In 2013, community giving in South Carolina from Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs and the Walmart Foundation totaled $29.2 million.
About Blessings Resource Center, Food Pantry
Blessings Resource Center is a First Steps partnership with the faith and business communities in the Pageland/Jefferson area. Blessings will operate its food bank and family assistance programs on Mondays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Wednesdays from
1 p.m. to 5 p.m. by appointment. For more information about Blessings Resource Center or to make an appointment, please call Chesterfield at 843-672-5095.
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are committed to helping people live better through philanthropic efforts. By operating globally and giving back locally, Walmart is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the communities it serves and make a significant social impact within its core areas of giving: Hunger Relief & Healthy Eating, Sustainability, Career Opportunity and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are leading the fight against hunger in the United States with a $2 billion commitment through 2015. Walmart has donated more than 1 billion meals to those in need across the country. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.
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