United Way of Greater Rochester Receives $250,000 Grant from the Walmart Foundation to Assist with Anti-Poverty Initiative

Rochester, NY, December 20, 2016 — United Way of Greater Rochester announced receipt of a $250,000 grant awarded through the Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program to assist with its poverty reduction efforts through the Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI).  A ceremony was held at the Walmart Supercenter on Hudson Avenue in Rochester with New York State Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle, United Way and Walmart officials in attendance.

This grant will help United Way connect career mentors with 300 local adults/families to work with them to set goals, overcome barriers to employment and advance in their chosen field. Additionally, this grant will support United Way’s work to provide early childhood development services to more than 800 low-income parents including health education and school readiness.

“The Walmart Foundation’s generosity is fueling our capability to support the Rochester and Monroe County region with critical strategies and services that will affect hundreds of local people directly, and will benefit thousands of family and community members in the process,” said Fran Weisberg, President & CEO of United Way of Greater Rochester. “United Way is honored to partner with Walmart, and we’re so appreciative of our supporters in local and state government, as we all come together to eradicate poverty and build a thriving community.”

The RMAPI is a community-informed strategy with the goal of reducing poverty in the Rochester and Monroe County region by 50 percent over the next fifteen years. This initiative is the result of collaboration from local leaders, local and state government, service providers, the faith community, volunteers and people impacted by poverty.

“The progress RMAPI has made over the past two years simply would not have been possible without the coordinated efforts of so many individuals and organizations throughout our community,” said Assembly Majority Leader Joseph D. Morelle. “The collaboration between Walmart and the United Way is yet another example of how public-private partnerships can come together to uplift those most in need.  I am grateful for their dedicated efforts to building a path to prosperity for families and individuals in our community.”

“United Way’s bold initiative to dramatically reduce poverty represents exactly the kind of vision we need to strengthen our local communities,” said Jason Klipa, Walmart’s Director of Public Affairs & Government Relations. “By bringing together a diverse coalition of community and faith based groups as well as partners in local and state government, United Way has developed a truly groundbreaking strategy to lift people out of poverty. Walmart is thrilled to be a partner in this effort.”‍‍

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‍About United Way

United Way of Greater Rochester’s mission is to unite the good will and resources of the Greater Rochester community so that everyone can thrive. United Way invests in solutions, makes lasting connections and serves our community. United Way is a four-star rated Charity Navigator charity and a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity. Learn more at uwrochester.org.

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‍‍‍About Philanthropy at Wal-Mart

By using our strengths to help others, Wal-Mart and the Wal-Mart Foundation create opportunities for people to live better every day. We have stores in 28 countries, employing more than 2.3 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. We are helping people live better by accelerating upward job mobility and economic development for the retail workforce; addressing hunger and making healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality; and building strong communities where we operate and inspiring our associates to give back. Whether it is helping to lead the fight against hunger in the United States with $2 billion in cash and in-kind donations or supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment through a series of grants totaling $10 million to the Women in Factories training program in Bangladesh, China, India and Central America, Wal-Mart and the Wal-Mart Foundation are not only working to tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to inspire solutions for long-lasting systemic change. To learn more about Wal-Mart’s giving, visit foundation.walmart.com.