Posts Tagged ‘hunger’

Wal-Mart Fights Hunger

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

America’s king of low low prices shares some of their profit with the poor.

  • Wal-Mart and the Wal-Mart Foundation announced a plan to donate $250 million in cash and $1.75 billion worth of food to fight hunger in the United States.
  • Because of the recession, food banks in the United States have been struggling to keep up with demand.
  • Wal-Mart remains committed to reducing hunger nationwide, including providing healthy food for schools.

Facts and Figures

  • About 49 million people in the U.S. don’t get enough healthy food to eat (up 36% from last year).
  • Wal-Mart’s plan will provide enough food for more than 1 billion meals.
  • Wal-Mart donated $423 million in 2008 and $512 million in 2009 (in both cash and products).

Best Quote

“Increasingly, we see opportunities to use our scale and reach to solve challenges in our communities. This is one of those times. By working together, we believe that we can reach a day where no individual in this country has to go to bed hungry or worry there will be food to put on the table tomorrow.” – Eduardo Castro-Wright, Vice Chairman of Wal-Mart

The Doctor Who Saved More Lives Than Anyone In History

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

Dr. Borlaug saved millions of people from dying of hunger, so how is it possible that 1 billion people will still go hungry this year?

  • The life of Green Revolution leader Dr. Norman Borlaug was celebrated this week after his recent death at the age of 95. His work to feed the hungry is credited with having saved more lives than any other person in history.
  • The systemic reasons for hunger can be directly linked to the production and dissemination of grain. America’s export of grain to poor nations has interfered with their ability to develop independent and strong local economies.
  • Sub-Saharan Africa has been particularly hard hit by its inability to replicate key aspects of the Green Revolution, such as irrigation.

Facts & Figures

  • More than one billion people will suffer from hunger this year.
  • In July, President Obama and other Western leaders pledged $20 billion for agricultural development in poor countries.
  • Due to an exploding population in Africa, a severe drought threatens the lives of millions of people.

Best Quote

“World peace will not be built on empty stomachs or human misery. It is within America’s technical and financial power to help end this human tragedy and injustice, if set our hearts and minds to the task.” – Dr. Norman Borlaug