YWCA Preschool Lunch Program Receives Walmart Grant

(Standing in the rear holding the check, left to right) Hilo Walmart Co-manager Sharyn Richardson, YWCA of Hawaii Island Preschool Director Lissa Van Kralingen, and Hilo Walmart store Manager Jerod Strong. Courtesy photo.

YWCA of Hawai‘i Island was recently awarded a $30,000 grant from Walmart Foundation.

The monies received will provide free lunches to over 100 preschool aged children for one year through the YWCAʻs ʻHealthy Foods for Preschoolersʻ program.

“Walmart’s grant will enable us to offer lunch to all children enrolled in our preschool program at no additional cost to the family,” said Lissa Van Kralingen, preschool director for the YWCA of Hawai‘i Island. “Each child receives a nutritionally-balanced, portion-controlled, healthy lunch each school day. Our goal is to encourage children to eat different fruits and vegetables, to eat local foods and to garden. The children and their family are invited to harvest, cook and eat what we grow.”

The Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program plays an essential role in the foundation’s mission to create opportunities so people can live better. Grants are awarded to organizations that have a proven, long-lasting, positive impact on their community.

The Walmart Foundation’s Hawai‘i State Giving Council, comprised of local Walmart associates, reviews applications and determines the local grants.

To be considered for support, prospective grantee organizations must submit applications through the Walmart Foundation State Giving Program’s online grant application.

Applicants must have a current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in order to meet the program’s minimum eligibility criteria.

Additional information about the program’s funding guidelines and application process are available online.