[Hampton, VA] – June 23, 2015 – The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank is excited to have been chosen by the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program to receive a $30,000 grant to help address child hunger by supporting our Food for Kids BackPack Program. This grant will help sustain the distribution of food to children through the purchase of nutritious food to be distributed as part of the Foodbank’s Food for Kids BackPack Program.

“The Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program funding will assist the Foodbank in our commitment to deliver much needed, nutritious foods to children who risk going hungry on weekends and other times school is out”, said Chief Development Officer, Michele Benson. “We are grateful for our relationship with Walmart and appreciate their confidence in the important work we do to reduce hunger throughout the community. This funding will be used to purchase food that will be distributed during the upcoming school year, 2015-16.”

“The Walmart Foundation is delighted to support the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank and their Food for Kids Backpack Program,” said Tina Rodriguez, Market Manager, Walmart. “Through this grant, children in the Hampton Roads area will receive the nutritious meals and food they need.”

“The fight against hunger is a top priority at the Walmart Foundation and we are pleased to continue to support the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank’s Backpack Program,” said Bob Davis, Regional General Manager, Walmart. “We understand the importance of helping children who are at risk of going hungry and are proud to give back to the communities where we serve.”

The BackPack Program is an initiative of Feeding America that aims to alleviate child hunger by providing hungry children with nutritious and easy-to-prepare food at times when other resources are not available. The program provides bags filled with food that are child-friendly, nonperishable, and easily consumed. These bags are discreetly distributed to children at their schools, just before the weekend or holiday vacation.