The foundation’s humanitarian efforts will provide healthy food for more than 93,000 children for the duration of the summer season. This program is aptly called Feeding Hungry Children and the Boys & Girls Club of America received the $1.2 million grant for the children’s meals. Various feeding programs in different American states will receive grants totaling to $250,000.

For the Food Bank Support program, a $3 million grant allows the distribution of at least 30 new refrigerator trucks to United States food banks. This will help ensure the smooth delivery of food to storerooms, kitchens, and to organizations backed by Feeding America.

The Food Donation program aims to fulfill their goal of donating 90 million pounds of food before the end of December 2009. So far, Walmart’s food contribution program has supplied over 59.8 million pounds of fresh meat and other nourishing goods to US Food Banks. This philanthropic act is being carried out by Sam’s Club and Walmart stores.

Walmart Foundation president Margaret McKenna assures that the foundation will continue to work towards the alleviation of hunger, especially where America’s children are concerned. The foundation is likewise committed to supporting programs that help homeless families and all those who are in need.

Traditionally Republican leaning, the retailer giant took the industry by surprise when it officially signed a letter expressing its support for the mandatory health insurance proposed by Obama.

The letter endorsed Obama’s bid requiring large employers to secure health insurance to its workers and was signed collectively by Walmart Chief Executive Mike Duke, Andy Stern, president of Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and John Podesta, CEO of the Center for American Progress.

Walmart expressed its support for an employer mandate that embraces a wide coverage. The company views their support of the health insurance reform as a testament of their commitment to control healthcare cost without taking their employees’ health needs for granted.

The proposal, if implemented, aims to cover almost 50 million of uninsured American workers.

Walmart’s endorsement could hurt opponents of Obama’s ambitious bid, which had relied on amassing numbers for a united front to prevent its passage when Congress resumes on the issue.

Some erstwhile opponents of the proposal warmed up to some of its provisions and expressed support for key parts. A large group that represents pharmaceutical companies indicated willingness to reduce costs of prescription drugs for senior citizens by $80 billion in 10 years’ time. Groups representing medical practitioners and hospitals have also committed to a reduction in healthcare costs.

This is a breakthrough development in the struggle to reform America’s healthcare system because these recent supporters have staunchly opposed similar moves during the Clinton administration.

Observers note that need and American public opinion are paving the way for this major legislation to pull through.

In Walmart’s case, the endorsement letter it co-signed with SEIU benefits both sides in separate ways: it improves Walmart’s labor relations image and it furthers the interest of workers for health insurance.