SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The Walmart Foundation announced Tuesday that it has distributed $285,000 in grants to nonprofits in San Diego.
The awards include $50,000 for the zero8hundred program, which helps post-9/11 veterans and their families make the transition back to civilian life.
"Securing employment or entering an educational or job training program as part of a career pathway is a top concern for the majority of transitioning veterans," said Sean Mahoney, the nonprofit's executive director. "Through their military experience, many post-9/11 veterans have developed highly transferable skills and leadership qualities."
Despite their skills, many veterans are out of work or employed in jobs that don't take advantage of their abilities, Mahoney said.
The foundation gave $50,000 to Workshops for Warriors to develop a centralized system that integrates the program's admissions, registrar, financial aid and career services databases. The organization provides veterans with vocational training in manufacturing fields.
Another $45,000 went to the Turning the Hearts Center's Hearts for the Hungry Food Distribution Center, which will allow the nonprofit to operate one additional day a week.
The Walmart Foundation gave $30,000 to the San Diego Armed Forces YMCA to support its monthly Neighborhood Exchange food distribution program, which provides healthy meals and nutritional resources to members of the military and their families who are facing financial challenges.
Walmart's donation will provide one year's worth of food for the program.
"Thanks to Walmart's support, we will be able to increase by 20 percent the number of service members and their families who receive food support through our Neighborhood Exchange program," said Tim Ney, the YMCA's executive director.
The Walmart Foundation also provided:
-- $30,000 to the Fallbrook Food Pantry, which serves more than 500 families a week;
-- $30,000 to Meals-on-Wheels, which will purchase a van and stackable coolers;
-- $25,000 to Casa Familiar to train Latinas to be health and fitness instructors; and
-- $25,000 to Social Advocates for Youth, which will purchase a minivan to transport food to needy families.
