"In these difficult times, the work that we do to support the communitieswe serve is more important than ever," said Margaret McKenna, president of theWal-Mart Foundation. "And to reinforce our commitment to support organizationsthat create opportunities for individuals and families to live better, we planto increase our charitable giving in 2009."

The Wal-Mart Foundation is focusing its attention towards efforts thatsupport those hit hardest by the economic crisis. The Foundation also directedWalmart stores and Sam's Clubs across the country to take similar action withtheir community giving. This holiday season, Walmart stores and Sam's Clubswill give more than $20 million to local community organizations. Stores andclubs will work with organizations that address basic unmet needs such ashunger, homelessness, day care, job training and financial counseling.

Helping Feed Hungry Americans

In response to the needs of local Meals On Wheels programs, the Wal-MartFoundation announced that it will provide a $750,000 grant to Meals On WheelsAssociation of America (MOWAA). The grant will be used to restore nutritionservices that local Meals On Wheels programs have been forced to change orreduce because of severe operating constraints brought on by rising food andgas prices and the current economy. MOWAA will select between 60-80 localprograms to receive grants up to $10,000 each.

"Nearly 48 percent of the local Meals On Wheels programs reported they wereforced to eliminate meal delivery routes and 38 percent were forced to reducethe number of clients they could accept," said Enid Borden, President and CEOof Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA). "The Wal-Mart Foundation'ssupport will help alleviate some of these rising numbers."

Wal-Mart also recently announced its partnership with Feeding America, thenation's largest hunger-relief agency, to provide an estimated 90 millionpounds of food annually -- the equivalent of 70 million meals -- to familiesin need by the end of 2009. Feeding America received a $2.5 million cashdonation from the Wal-Mart Foundation to help improve warehouse capacity andto purchase 20 new refrigerated trucks to safely transport food from Walmartstores and Sam's Clubs to food pantries and soup kitchens.

Supporting Our Veterans During the Holidays

Wal-Mart plans to support our nation's heroes this holiday season bysupporting Fisher House and Operation HomeFront.

The Fisher House Foundation will receive a $250,000 grant from Wal-Mart tohelp meet the needs of the families that are staying in Fisher Houses acrossthe country. Fisher Houses provide free lodging for the families of woundedsoldiers and veterans that are being treated in military and VA medicalcenters. The $250,000 grant will support the families staying in FisherHouses this Holiday season by providing a Walmart gift card for each familywhich can be used to purchase items such as food, gas and clothing. Fundingwill also be provided to each Fisher House to purchase much needed items suchas bedding and other household items. The final portion of the funding willbe used to support Fisher House's Hero Miles Program, helping to fund airlinetravel so military families can be together during the holiday season.

Last year, Wal-Mart provided $5,000 gift cards to each Fisher House topurchase much needed supplies for the houses. In addition, associates fromlocal Walmart stores and Sam's Clubs visited the houses for a Christmasdecorating party and provided holiday decor for the house and food and giftsfor family members.

Operation Homefront will also receive a $250,000 grant from Wal-Mart.Operation Homefront Villages provide free transitional housing for thefamilies of wounded soldiers as they are treated at nearby military medicalcenters. Wal-Mart's grant will support the purchase of gift cards that willbe made available to military families in need that come to OperationHomefront for assistance this holiday season.

Bells Ringing at Walmart Stores and Sam's Clubs

For the fourth year in a row, Wal-Mart is supporting the Salvation Army's"Red Kettle" fundraising efforts at Walmart and Sam's Club locations. Thebell ringers will be in front of all stores and clubs from Nov. 28 - Dec.24th. The Wal-Mart Foundation gave a $1.25 million grant to the SalvationArmy to kick-off the campaign. In addition, bell ringers were invited to setup their kettles on Nov. 8 for an extra day of giving to remind customers togive early and give generously this holiday season.

About Philanthropy at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Wal-Mart Foundation are proud tosupport the charitable causes that are important to customers and associatesin their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs andpartnerships, the Wal-Mart Foundation supports initiatives focused onenhancing opportunities in education, job skills training, sustainability andhealth and wellness. In 2007, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and the Wal-Mart Foundationgave $296 million to communities across the United States. To learn more,visit http://www.walmartfoundation.org.

About Meals On Wheels Association of America

The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest andlargest national organization in the United States representing those programsthat provide meals to people in need. To obtain more information about MOWAAor to locate a local Meals On Wheels program, visit the MOWAA website athttp://www.mowaa.org.

About Feeding America

Feeding America provides low-income individuals and families with the fuelto survive and even thrive. As the nation's largest domestic hunger-reliefcharity, our network members supply food to more than 25 million Americanseach year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. Serving theentire United States, more than 200 member food banks operate 63,000 agenciesthat address hunger in all of its forms. For more information on how you canfight hunger in your community and across the country, visithttp://www.feedingamerica.org.

About Fisher House Foundation

Fisher House Foundation is best known for the network of 42 comfort homeson the grounds of major military and VA medical centers. The houses are 5,000to 16,800 square foot homes, with up to 21 suites, donated to the military andDepartment of Veterans Affairs by Fisher House Foundation. The Foundationprovides support to families of patients receiving care at the nearby medicalcenter and has ensured that families of service men and women wounded orinjured in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operating Enduring Freedom do not payfor their stay at a Fisher House or other base facility if they are on a waitlist. For more information, please visit http://www.fisherhouse.org.

About Operation Homefront

Operation Homefront provides emergency assistance and morale to ourtroops, to the families they leave behind and to wounded warriors when theyreturn home. A nonprofit 501(c)(3), Operation Homefront served more than33,000 military families in 2007 with the help of 4,500 volunteers in 30chapters nationwide. For more information, please visithttp://www.operationhomefront.net.

About The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the universal Christian churchestablished in 1865, has been supporting those in need in His name withoutdiscrimination for 128 years in the United States. Nearly 29 million Americansreceive assistance from The Salvation Army each year through the broadestarray of social services that range from providing food for the hungry, relieffor disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly andill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities forunderprivileged children. About 82 cents of every dollar raised is used tosupport those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For more information,go to http://www.salvationarmyusa.org.

SOURCE Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.