According to the US Agriculture Department, 15% of Americans do not have access to an adequate supply of nutritious food. Walmart (NYSE: WMT) means to relieve a large part of the problem and will devote a large investment to the cause.

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced a $2 billion cash and in-kind commitment today, stepping up efforts to help end hunger in America.

The program will have four portions:

Donating more than 1.1 billion pounds of food from Walmart stores, distribution centers and Sam’s Club locations, valued at $1.75 billion;

Grants totaling $250 million to support hunger relief organizations at the national, state and local levels;

Mobilizing Walmart associates and customers. For example, Walmart’s logistics team will lend their expertise to help food banks become more efficient in their operations; and

Collaboration with government, food manufacturers and other corporations that are fighting hunger to increase impact and reach a greater number of families in need.

The announcement is much more than a PR step by Walmart. The company earned $7.2 billion last quarter so the move is not an insignificant one. And the Walmart Foundation, created by the company’s founder Sam Walton, has as one of its major initiatives programs to addressed at supplying food to Americans who are hungry with a special focus on children.

The program is slated to appear over five years.

Douglas A. McIntyre

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