Walmart Supports Joshua Williams And His Foundation’s Weekend Food Backpack Program

June 19, 2012 - PRLog -- Miami, FL. - Joshua’s Heart Foundation staff and volunteers, Miami Edison Middle school members and a Walmart representative will sort, pack and distribute backpacks filled with food to 50 low income students at Miami Edison Middle school located at 6101 NW Second Avenue, Miami Fl.

Eleven-year-old Joshua Williams founded the organization over six years ago, when he was only five-years old. One day he decided to give his pocket money to a hungry homeless man and that is what sparked his mission to “Stomp out Hunger.” Joshua’s Heart Foundation provides various efforts to help feed needy families.

“I think it’s important to help others and the food backpack program will assist these students so they can focus more in school and be healthy.” said Joshua Williams, Founder of Joshua’s Heart Foundation. “It will also provide food when they are not in school during the summer.”

Walmart found out about Joshua’s Heart program during the “12 Days of Giving” campaign executed in late November 2011. Walmart empowered Facebook users to write in – or nominate – local nonprofits to receive part of $1.5 million in grants this holiday season. Through its “12 Days of Giving” campaign, the company accepted submissions via their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/walmart, with an eye for local organizations that are providing basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing and baby supplies.

“When my friend Sierra told me about the “12 Days of Giving” I knew this would be good for Joshua’s Heart and I nominated the organization right away. I was hoping they would win and they did. Now they can help more people,” said Staceyann McLean. “Because of the nomination, JHF was ultimately awarded funds to provide backpacks for 50 students in this program for one year.“

BACKPACK DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM (SCHOOL-BASED).
Joshua's Heart Foundation seeks to address the issue of stomping out childhood hunger by leaving no student hungry, one school at time, through Joshua's Heart Foundation's Backpack Program in South Florida.  The Backpack Distribution Program distributes nutritious, non-perishable, and easy-to-prepare food items in a backpack along with an age-appropriate book as a gift to inspire positive self-esteem and encourage the love of reading.  The program's goal is to fulfill a void of insecurity and hunger during the weekends, extended holidays, and summer months by providing each student with nutritious, non-perishable, and easy-to-prepare food items in a traditional backpack.  

Food packages shall be provided weekly by Joshua's Heart Foundation where Joshua's Heart Foundation's volunteers shall fill each of the backpacks with user-friendly food items such as peanut butter and jelly, beans and franks, ravioli or stew in pop-top cans, cereal, juice boxes, fruit cups, fresh fruit, Jell-O and pudding cups, granola bars, shelf-stable milk, and macaroni and cheese to then deliver to the school. Joshua's Heart Foundation's Backpack Program is set up to allow students to receive assistance without attracting attention from other students.

The backpacks look like any other student's backpack and are issued on the last day of school and at the end of the school day.

About Joshua’s Heart Foundation ®
Joshua’s Heart Foundation, a 501(c) 3 non-for-profit organization, empowers needy people to improve their quality of life. The foundation was founded by a five year old boy by the name of Joshua. His heart conceived a passion for assisting those who struggle daily to procure food for basic survival. The main focus of his vision is to “Stomp out Hunger” in indigent and underprivileged communities, as well as from among those who battle debilitating diseases that affect their ability to earn enough to feed themselves. For more information about Joshua’s Heart Foundation, our local events or how to get involved, please contact us at 305.788.8295. You can also send us an email at info@joshuasheart.org and visit our website at http://www.joshuasheart.org.

About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support initiatives that are helping people live better around the globe. In May 2010, Walmart and its Foundation made a historic pledge of $2 billion through 2015 to fight hunger in the U.S. The Walmart Foundation also supports education, workforce development, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness initiatives. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.