SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – The holidays are a time of giving, but they are also a time of great need. Food insecurity continues plaguing families and individuals across the country, with an estimated 1 in 6 at risk of hunger as a result of COVID-19. This is compared to a pre-pandemic number of 1 in 9 struggling with food insecurity, according to Feeding America®, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. As a result, food banks and pantries are having difficulties keeping up with demand.

To help organizations meet the increased demand during the holidays and beyond, the Walmart Foundation is granting Feeding America $12 million over two years and is encouraging its stores, clubs, and distribution centers in the U.S. to commit funds and product donations to hunger-relief organizations through the end of the year.

"At our local Walmart stores, we want to ensure we are doing what we can to give back to our communities. The economic impact of COVID-19 has hit many families extremely hard, and food insecurity has become more common because of it,” said Aubrey Swift, Vice President Regional Manager in Northern California. “We hope that with continued donations from our local Walmart stores, and from our corporate headquarters, we can help feed all families who face hunger this holiday season, and as long as food insecurity persists."

For years, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have supported hunger-relief organizations and this year is no different. Last year, in California, Walmart and Sam’s Club donated more than 26,000,000 pounds of food to local food banks.

So far this year, more than 5,000 hunger-relief organizations in the U.S. have received support from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation through the donation of 480 million pounds of food and over $55 million in grants for hunger relief. Complemented by these efforts, Walmart customers, Sam’s Club members and suppliers have raised and donated nearly $18 million for hunger relief.

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online and through their mobile devices. In California, we serve customers at 303 retail units and online through Walmart Online Grocery, http://Walmart.com and our family of brands. We are proud to employ 91,124 associates in California. Walmart supports local businesses, spending $24 billion with California suppliers in FYE18 and supporting 257,706 California supplier jobs. Walmart continues to be a leader in employment opportunity, sustainability, and corporate philanthropy. In FY18, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation contributed more than $61 million in cash and in-kind donations to local nonprofits in California and our California associates volunteered more than 39 thousand hours with local causes. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting our corporate.walmart.com, and our Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram channels.

Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better - anytime and anywhere - in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 265 million customers and members visit approximately 11,400 stores under 55 banners in 26 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2020 revenue of $524 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting https://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at https://facebook.com/walmartand on Twitter at https://twitter.com/walmart.

Walmart.org represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. By leaning in where the business has unique strengths, Walmart.org works to tackle key social issues and collaborate with others to spark long-lasting systemic change. Walmart has stores in 27 countries, employs more than 2 million associates and does business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Walmart.org is helping people live better by supporting programs that work to accelerate upward job mobility for frontline workers, address hunger and make healthier, more sustainably grown food a reality, and build strong communities where Walmart operates. To learn more, visit www.walmart.org or connect on Twitter @Walmartorg.

 Walmart Leans in to Fight against Hunger in California this Holiday Season

Walmart Foundation donates $12 million to Feeding America; Walmart stores, Sam’s Clubs, and distribution centers allocate funds and product to hunger-relief organizations

 

 

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Sacramento County continues to see dramatic results in the community-wide effort to reduce African American child deaths. In a recent report compiled by Applied Survey Research (ASR), the results for FY 2019-20 show progress in addressing the longstanding issue of African American children dying at twice the rate of children of other races. The top four causes of the disparity in preventable child deaths are perinatal conditions, infant sleep-related deaths, child abuse and neglect homicides, and third-party homicide. 

Summary of the data: 
Using Child Death Review Team and Public Health data, the following decreases in the rate of African American child deaths and changes in disparity compared to other races was determined. When comparing 2012-14 to 2016-18, for African Americans in Sacramento County there was a: 19 percent reduction in infant death rate and a 33 percent reduction in disparity; 51 percent reduction in infant sleep-related death rate and a 58 percent reduction in disparity; 88 percent reduction in the rate for child abuse and neglect homicides for children ages 0-17 and a 95 percent reduction in disparity. 

Read the full Reduction of African American Child Deaths Evaluation Report, FY 2019-20 report att www.first5sacramento.saccounty.net/Results/Documents/%238-ATT2-RAACD_Report_2019-20-FINAL.pdf

“Our community began this critical work with the goal of reducing African American child deaths 10-20 percent by 2020. Data through 2018 indicate that due to thoughtful, community-led partnerships, programs and interventions, we have hit the lofty mark we set, and in fact, when it comes to specific types of child death, we’ve far exceeded our goal” said Phil Serna, Chair of the County Board of Supervisors and First 5 Sacramento Commission. “Now, however, is not the time for complacency, but it is time to double-down and build on the progress we’ve made, especially given the uncertainty the pandemic presents, including the myriad associated increases in violence, mental health needs and pronounced racial inequities. It is more important than ever to support African American families and invest in the health and safety of our youngest residents, and that’s exactly what I and others will continue to forcefully advocate.” 

“In a year when the impact of disparities has been made painfully clear, we are heartened by ongoing evidence that community-led and whole-family strategies to reduce the leading causes of African-American child deaths are proving effective. The results of these efforts demonstrate the importance of long-term commitments to preventive supports for families – particularly black families and those from other underserved communities,” said Chet P. Hewitt, president and CEO of Sierra Health Foundation and The Center, which manages the Black Child Legacy Campaign, and co-chair of the Steering Committee on Reduction of African American Child Deaths. “We will continue in partnership to push hard for the safety, true equity and support our communities need to lead healthy and meaningful lives.”

 A Meaningful Conversation Regarding Mental Health

HENDERSONVILLE, TN (MPG) - Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is characterized as a type of depression that is related to changes in seasons, typically tied to the start of fall and persisting into the winter months.  We know that depressive disorders don’t take holidays and this time of year can be stressful.  For individuals who suffer from or are at risk for depression, though, the impact of holiday stresses and pressures can be much more severe than the momentary frustrations that almost everyone experiences. Typical symptoms of SAD, sometimes referred to as winter depression, may include the following (Mayo Clinic): Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day; A lack of energy; Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed; Feeling sluggish or agitated; Oversleeping or having problems with sleeping; Social withdrawal; Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty; Substance abuse.

Recently, more people are willing to engage in more meaningful conversations regarding mental health, but that has not always been the case.  Many of the same symptoms listed above are commonly associated with warning signs of suicidal thoughts or behavior, the second leading cause of death for ages 10 – 24 in California.  The Jason Foundation, a nationally recognized leader in youth suicide awareness and prevention, has developed a program designed to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and suicide.  #IWONTBESILENT is an awareness campaign to raise the conversation on suicide prevention and mental illness, allowing open conversation regarding these serious subjects.  Visit www.iwontbesilent.com to learn how you can become involved and make a difference within your community.  Creating an environment where people of all ages feel comfortable to talk about their struggles is an important step in preventing unnecessary tragedies.

Contrary to a prevalent myth, suicide rates do not peak during the holiday season. However, depressed individuals are hardly immune from either depressive episodes or suicidal ideation during this time. If you or someone you love is struggling with depression and/or thinking about suicide, get help now. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-TALK (8255), is a free resource that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for anyone who is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

 

 

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – MacKenzie Scott announced that she has made a donation to United Way California Capital Region. The philanthropist chose the local United Way chapter to receive a $10 million gift because of the group’s work to fill basic needs while also addressing long-term systemic inequities that have deepened during the pandemic.

“This is a game-changer for our local United Way and our community as a whole,” said Stephanie Bray, president and CEO, United Way California Capital Region. “With a gift like this, we can expand our work to end poverty through our Square One Project so kids can succeed in school. This gift also will help us and our nonprofit partners provide more relief and forge a path toward recovery and resilience for our community. There truly are no words to express our gratitude to Ms. Scott. We are humbled and honored that she chose to invest in our work in the greater Sacramento area.”

Scott’s gift to United Way California Capital Region is part of the Giving Pledge she signed in 2019 to donate the majority of her wealth. Her donations to organizations across the country have focused in part on promoting economic parity, racial equity, public health and education. Scott is the former wife of Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon.

“Last year I pledged to give the majority of my wealth back to the society that helped generate it, to do it thoughtfully, to get started soon, and to keep at it until the safe is empty,” Scott said in a Medium article she published in July. “There’s no question in my mind that anyone’s personal wealth is the product of a collective effort, and of social structures which present opportunities to some people, and obstacles to countless others.”

United Way California Capital Region has invested more heavily in addressing inequities this year with the onset of the pandemic. The group raised $572,000 in three months through the United Way COVID-19 Local Relief Fund to provide 1,145 families in need across the region with a one-time $500 distribution to help offset costs of rent, bills and other basic needs. Through a partnership with the City of Sacramento, United Way is working to bridge the digital divide that has widened during the pandemic, with a focus on low-income children and senior citizens. Through this Digital Equity Program, the partnership is providing free broadband access for up to 10,000 low-income Sacramento households, and free computers and digital literacy training for up to 1,000 Sacramento households. United Way also joined a partnership with the County of Sacramento to provide financial assistance to individuals and families in Sacramento County who are quarantined due to a positive COVID-19 test or are in isolation from being exposed to someone who has tested positive. 

“Our team has been working tirelessly to stretch our resources as far as possible to help families in our community through this difficult year,” Bray said. “We cannot thank our staff, donors and volunteers enough for their investment in our work that is now being recognized on a national stage. This gift has brought us to the next level, and we are grateful to have our community of supporters by our side as we expand our Square One Project to create stronger, healthier and more compassionate communities across the greater Sacramento region.”

United Way’s current work includes removing barriers to success in school for low-income students, helping families achieve financial stability and self-sufficiency, and providing support to youth who are transitioning out of foster care.  

For nearly 100 years, United Way California Capital Region has brought local people together to make community change happen. Today, the nonprofit is bringing people together across Amador, El Dorado, Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties for its Square One Project, a 20-year promise to significantly increase the number of students in our region who graduate from high school ready for success in college and beyond. United Way believes ending poverty starts in school and is working to ensure kids meet important milestones and their families receive support and resources. To learn more and make a donation, visit YourLocalUnitedWay.org