Share Our Strength(R) Statement on Walmart's Historic Commitment to Fight Hunger in America

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May 12, 2010, 10:37 ET

WASHINGTON, May 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, Share Our Strength® Founder and Executive Director Bill Shore issued the following statement regarding Walmart's announced commitment of $2 billion over five years to help fight hunger in America and its selection of Share Our Strength as a partner organization to end childhood hunger in America.

"As the organization committed to the goal of No Kid Hungry by 2015, Share Our Strength commends Walmart's groundbreaking commitment to solving the hunger crisis in America. Childhood hunger affects communities and schools all across this country. When kids go hungry they are sick more often, are more likely to be hospitalized and are less likely to perform well at school. Share Our Strength is honored to serve as one of Walmart's national partners helping to provide nutritious meals to the millions of children who struggle with hunger on a daily basis. If this bold move now inspires other corporations to follow Walmart's example and commit to this goal, we will end childhood hunger in the United States."

"Share Our Strength's focus is to create state-based strategies and alliances that address specific child hunger needs year round. We create public-private partnerships at the state and national level in order to strengthen community resources. Our priorities are to connect children to healthy food through programs like free breakfast in school and summer meals, improve families' knowledge about available programs, increase access to programs that provide food to children and their families and raise awareness of the hunger issue in America and get people involved."

"Just as Walmart is leading the private sector by investing in hunger reduction in America, we also hope Congress will move to pass the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. If enacted, this legislation will increase eligibility for school meals, expand afterschool and summer meal access and pilot innovative state projects to improve the way we feed hungry children."

About Share Our Strength®
Share Our Strength®, a national nonprofit, is ending childhood hunger in America by connecting children with the nutritious food they need to lead healthy, active lives. Through its No Kid Hungry™ campaign—a national effort to end childhood hunger in America by 2015—Share Our Strength ensures children in need are enrolled in effective federal nutrition programs, invests in community organizations fighting hunger, teaches families how to cook healthy meals on a budget, and builds public-private partnerships to end hunger, both nationally and at the state level. Working closely with the culinary industry and relying on the strength of its volunteers, Share Our Strength hosts innovative culinary fundraising events and develops pioneering cause marketing campaigns that support No Kid Hungry. Visit Strength.org to get involved in the No Kid Hungry campaign.