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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 10, 2010

The Walmart Foundation Awards $24,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove; Young Members Returning to School after Eating Healthy Snacks and Meals during Summer 

Garden Grove (September 10, 2010) – Proper nutrition is vital for children to succeed in school and in life, and summer months can often pose a challenge as families struggle to feed their kids without the food programs provided by schools. Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove is one of 400 Clubs across the country to receive $6,000 from the Walmart Foundation to help feed young Members during the summer.

Nationally, Boys & Girls Club of America and the Walmart Foundation helped ease the burden for families this summer by providing an estimated 3 million healthy meals and snacks to Club members across the U.S. as part of a $3.4 million grant from the Walmart Foundation. Walmart recently committed $2 billion to hunger relief efforts as part of its Fighting Hunger Together initiative.

There is no question that proper nutrition is vital for children’s development. Summer poses a challenge for kids who are eligible for free and reduced lunches during the school year but don’t have access to healthy food when they’re not attending classes.Staff members at Boys & Girls Clubs have seen dramatic increases in the number of young people who arrive at Clubs hungry as families struggle to provide for their children during the tough economic times.

“Families are struggling to meet basic needs, leaving many young people in a state of very low food security,” says Pat Halberstadt, Chief Professional Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove.  “This Healthy Servings grant will help the Club recharge and re-energize its young members with healthy snacks and meals before they go from vacation to classroom.”

Many Clubs will offer additional food programs from October through December to ensure children are being taken care of during the tough economy. Nationwide, 61 percent of Boys & Girls Club members qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove received four grants from the Walmart Foundation for a total of $24,000.  These funds helped BGCGG provide wholesome snacks and meals to more than 300 Club members at four Club sites.

“Eating a healthy meal is vital to the development of children, and during the summer there are kids who go hungry because they don’t have access to healthy food when they aren’t in school,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. “We are committed to fighting hunger and ensuring young people are getting the healthy meals they need.” 

Located at 9860 Larson St, Garden Grove, CA 92842, Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove provides program opportunities for 5,000boys and girls each year. The Club is openMonday thru Friday 6:30 am to 6:30 pm.Youngsters interested in joining the Club can contact Junior Levalle at Main Branch, (714) 537-1465 or visit www.begreatgardengrove.org.

To learn more about Walmart’s $2 billion commitment to help end hunger in America, visit www.walmart.com/fightinghunger.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) has enabled young people, especially those who need Clubs most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, some 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 4.2 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military installations worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Key programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. The Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From Feb. 1, 2009 through Jan. 31, 2010, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $512 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally, $467 million of which was donated in the U.S. To learn more, visitwww.walmartfoundation.org.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove

For more than 50 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Garden Grove (BGCGG) has helped kids “BE GREAT” by changing and saving young lives, playing an integral role in its community. Striving to help children succeed in life, Boys & Girls Clubs provide hope and opportunity through afterschool, family support, and community outreach programs. Our 57 program sites serve over 8,500 families annually and 5,000 young people daily, from “Diapers to Diplomas,” ages 18 months-18 years old.

The Clubs are open daily with programs in character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, the arts, health and life skills, and sports, fitness and recreation. Our family outreach programs such as Family Campus Preschool, School Readiness, REACH For Literacy (Reading Education for Adults & CHildren), ARCHES (Access to Resources for Children's Health, Education and Support), FYOP (Family & Youth Outreach Program), and TRC (Truancy Reduction Center) expand our services to ensure that the needs of the whole child are met. Through our efforts we do our best to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Please visit www.begreatgardengrove.org for more information. Great Futures Start Here.

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