Atascadero Loaves & Fishes Receives $25,000 Grant from Walmart Foundation

ATASCADERO- The Walmart Foundation’s California State Giving Program announced today a $25,000 grant to the Atascadero Loaves & Fishes that will go toward providing services to approximately 26,000 area residents in need.

"The grant was critical to the Atascadero Loaves & Fishes in providing essential services to our clients. Faced with a diminished budget and amplified client population, we sought out the Walmart Foundation’s grant after reading a brief in a local newspaper,” said Atascadero Loaves & Fishes President Jackie Lerno. “With the $25,000 donation, Atascadero Loaves & Fishes will be able to keep the pantry open.”

Atascadero Loaves & Fishes is a volunteer-run program that provides emergency food assistance to families and individuals living in northern San Luis Obispo County, including the cities of Atascadero, Santa Margarita, Creston and Templeton. Nearly 44% of its 26,000 clients are under the age of 18. 

"Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have once again demonstrated their commitment to the people of Atascadero by generously donating to our local food bank, Atascadero Loaves and Fishes," said Atascadero Mayor Roberta Fonzi. "The Walmart Foundation's grant will allow Atascadero Loaves and Fishes to continue to help those in need in our community. A sincere thank you to Walmart for seeing a need and stepping in to help!"

“The Walmart Foundation’s California State Giving Program is honored to support and be a partner with the Atascadero Loaves & Fishes,” said Kimberly Sentovich, Senior Vice President of the Pacific Division for Walmart. “The group of volunteers who work relentlessly to keep families and individuals fed in Atascadero are heroes because they have taken time out of their day to help their neighbors and have sought ways to help people live better.”

The Walmart Foundation’s California State Giving Program is accepting 2010 grant applications from non-profit organizations across the state through August 20. Interested organizations may apply online at www.walmartfoundation.org.

To date, the Walmart Foundation’s California State Giving Program has awarded $615,000 to local California nonprofit organizations.