Wal-Mart invests in the community

I would like to respond to the July 1 letter entitled, "Wal-Mart won't invest in community," by Suzie Wilbourn.

Ms. Wilbourn raised a number of interesting questions. The one I'm most concerned with is this: "Will Wal-Mart donate to our charities?" This is a very good question. Unfortunately many in Lodi don't know the answer. It is time someone presented some facts.

As Chair of the Advisory Board for The Salvation Army, Lodi Corp ... , I can speak from personal knowledge. One of the many missions of The Salvation Army, Lodi Corp. is to provide for the homeless as best we can. We accomplish this by providing food, clothing, public assistance and a place to sleep. The resources necessary to accomplish this are primarily through donations from businesses and individuals, grants and through fund-raisers. Wal-Mart is one of our best business contributors and supporters. They donate very significantly, especially with products. Wal-Mart supports The Salvation Army, and other nonprofits in Lodi on an annual basis. Wal-Mart participates in our "Toys for Tots" and "Coats for Kids" programs each year. This is of great benefit to our mission. Wal-Mart also allows The Salvation Army, Lodi Corp. the privilege of Bell Ringing on their property.

I am sure there are other issues with Wal-Mart that some people may have problems accepting but as far as charity, Wal-Mart does their share as well or better than anyone. They have been involved with the community for many years.

So, the answer to the question is an emphatic "YES." Unfortunately, Wal-Mart does not get the recognition it richly deserves for the work it does in this community.

Pam Kludt
Advisory Board Chairwoman
The Salvation Army, Lodi Corp.

Reader Feedback

Cogito wrote on Jul 20, 2008 10:38 PM:

" I'd love to see WalMart build in Galt, and shut the doors on the Lodi store. That would be justice. AND, if you must know, I'll buy some fishing supplies and golf balls there on occasion, but I go into WalMart less than once a year. "

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Cogito wrote on Jul 20, 2008 10:34 PM:

" Nextel, I'm just a strong believer in capitalism. And I know a slimy underhanded union smear campaign when I see one. "

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nextel wrote on Jul 20, 2008 6:01 PM:

" Cogito say.."I Love me some Wally World!" Then build it in Galt Bladder, we have one in Lodi already. I have never seen someone run to the defense of a Corporation like You Cogito. Ya buckin for a greeter position, or is it just your duty as an American to be an advocate for Walmart? "

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Observer wrote on Jul 20, 2008 1:11 PM:

" My goodness T&C, I would think even you would know enough about business that you don't have to spend a dollar to write off a dollar. "

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Cogito wrote on Jul 20, 2008 9:56 AM:

" T&C, write offs result in at least a 50% loss for the company. Shareholders can buy or sell a stock depending on their acceptance of how a company does business. They have very little to no say on how a company is run. Charitable giving is good public relations, and probably better than advertising when it comes to building customer loyalty. "

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citizen wrote on Jul 19, 2008 10:30 PM:

" So what if it is just money that they can write off. Its a quarter of a billion that these chatities wouldnt have otherwise. The main point is that the writer was dead wrong or just flat out lying when she said that Wal-Mart doesnt contribute to local charities. "

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T&C wrote on Jul 19, 2008 10:03 PM:

" Again, the wealthy and large corporation don't part with anything that doesn't result in some kind of write-off that benefits their stockholders. Do you really think their stockholders would let them just give away billions if there weren't a tax incentive? That's just simply a billion dollars+ they pay less taxes on. That's why they transfer all funds each evening to their own corporate headquarters. "

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commonsense1 wrote on Jul 19, 2008 5:04 PM:

" Ms Kludt, you will not hear a word from the from the union folks. They will say anything to derail the WalMart project. Actually, its very similar to the Delta College opponents (NIMBY'S), who will say anything to further their cause. WalMart and Delta will be huge assests to our community. "

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Cogito wrote on Jul 19, 2008 2:38 PM:

" Hillary Clinton served on WalMart's board of directors from 1986 to 1992. She was also the largest recipient of campaign donations from their corporation. "She was also a partner in the Rose Law Firm, one of the most active anti-union law firms in the country", according to the Huffington Post. "

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Cogito wrote on Jul 19, 2008 2:25 PM:

" You are correct Ms. Kludt. Year after year, WalMart is the number ONE corporation in charitable giving. Ms. Wilbourn was just guessing, and had zero facts to back her position. If she had only googled " WalMart charitable giving", she would have been able to check their generosity. She wouldn't have shown that, in her case, biased ignorance trumps investigative information. In 2006, WalMart gave over a quarter of a BILLION dollars to charity. "

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