[August 09, 2011] Salvation Army, Wal-Mart helping to feed those in need Tweet LAUREL, Aug 06, 2011 (Laurel Leader-Call - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Those working to shelter and feed those in need at the Salvation Army have a new corporate partner -- Wal-Mart. Volunteers with the Salvation Army worked this week to unload numerous boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, breads and sweets donated by Wal-Mart through "Feeding America." The nationwide program allows Wal-Mart to give food to food banks such as the Mississippi Food Network that the chain can't sell because it's close to the expiration date or its packaging is damaged. Bonita Flynn, social services director for the Laurel Salvation Army, said that relationship through the Mississippi Food Network that has paid off. "We've actually gotten so much through 'Feeding America' that we've had to order less food through the food bank," she said. "We get thousands of pounds of food a week that we're able to give clients in food boxes." Flynn said the charitable organization has hosted successful canned food drives in the past, but without "Feeding America," it wouldn't be able to provide fresh fruits, vegetables and meats. "It's wonderful to be able to offer that to people needing food," she said. "This week, we had a large shipment of tomatoes, watermelons and cantaloupes. "We wouldn't be able to buy fresh fruits and vegetables," Flynn added. "We wouldn't be able to keep a supply going like we do now. It would be mainly dry foods and canned foods." Flynn thanked Wal-Mart for their community support. "They've been so generous," she said. "Wal-Mart employees spend a lot of time getting it ready for us. We'd like to thank Wal-Mart for doing it. It takes a lot of extra time." Jo Beth Moore, personnel manager for the Laurel Wal-Mart, said the store is glad to participate in the "Feeding America" program and other community initiatives. "That's one thing that associates love seeing -- that we are helping others," she said. "We have 'Feeding America' and also give out checks annually to the schools and other groups." To see more of the Laurel Leader-Call or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.leadercall.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Laurel Leader-Call, Miss. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]