Contact: Steve Johnstone, for Walmart, 414-704-5314
H1 N1 Calls Significantly Increases Volume
MILWAUKEE, Wis., Nov. 19, 2009 – With H1 N1 flu inquiries to IMPACT on the rise, IMPACT and Walmart announced today that a $25,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation will help the 2-1-1 @ IMPACT referral system to keep pace with the increased number of calls from Milwaukee County residents seeking assistance with family, health and social services. The grant is being applied to redesign IMPACT’s 24-hour Call Center and add to its staff of professionally trained Community Resource Specialists.
The arrival of winter and the flu season, along with continuing high unemployment figures, are expected to further increase calls during the fourth quarter, traditionally the busiest time of the year for calls for information and referrals. Vickie Boneck, IMPACT’s director of marketing and communications, reported that during October alone, 2-1-1 @ IMPACT handled 2,209 calls inquiries related to the H1 N1 virus. Information was disseminated on the nature of the virus, vaccination sites and vaccine eligibility through collaboration with health departments across the state and other Wisconsin 211 call centers.
“We were on pace to handle six to seven percent more calls than during 2008, but that was before the H1N1 calls began. At this point there’s no telling how the virus will affect our call volume totals by the end of the year,” Boneck said.
“The Walmart Foundation is very pleased to support IMPACT in serving more concerned citizens from throughout Milwaukee County. Helping persons facing or avoiding crises certainly corresponds with our corporate pledge to help people live better,” said Lisa B. Nelson, senior manager of public affairs for Walmart.
The IMPACT grant is one of 14 to be awarded during 2009 by the Walmart’s State Giving Program to organizations in the state. Earlier this year Walmart awarded more than $300,000 in grants to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee and Junior Achievement of Wisconsin, as well as Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin, Middleton Outreach Ministry, Feed My People, Special Olympics Wisconsin, and Community Action of Rock and Walworth Counties.
Last month six other Wisconsin organizations were selected to receive grants totaling an additional $155,000. The grants are slated to be distributed before the end of the year.
For the State Giving Program, a team of Wisconsin associates determines needs within the state, reviews eligible grant applications and makes funding recommendations to the Walmart Foundation.
From Feb. 2008 through Jan. 2009, the Walmart Foundation awarded more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts, an $85.6 million increase over its global giving in the previous year. Walmart’s FYE 2009 giving breakdown:
* In the U.S., Walmart gave more than $378 million in cash and in-kind gifts, up from $296 million in 2007.
* In international markets, Wal-Mart gave $45.5 million in cash and in-kind gifts, up from $41 million in 2007.
* Globally, Walmart’s customers and associates gave more than $106 million through in-store giving programs that benefit local charities.
* In total, Walmart, its Foundations, its customers and its associates supported communities around the globe with nearly $530 million in charitable contributions during FYE 2009.
About Philanthropy at Walmart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Wal-Mart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Wal-Mart Foundation supports initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. In 2007, Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Wal-Mart Foundation gave $296 million to communities across the United States. To learn more, visit http://www.walmartfoundation.org.
