BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced Tuesday its charitable giving in the U.S. totaled more than $467 million in cash and in-kind gifts in fiscal year ending 2010. This total represents an $89 million increase over the previous year’s giving. In international markets, Walmart gave $45 million in cash and in-kind gifts.

In Nevada, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave more than $6 million supporting nonprofits like the Crisis Call Center, Help of Southern Nevada, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, the National Association for Beginning Teachers, the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, Nevada Health Centers, Inc., Springs Preserve Foundation, Street Teens, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and the Blind Center of Nevada, Inc. 

In the U.S., Walmart doubled donations to food banks, giving more than 127 million pounds of nutritious food — the equivalent of nearly 100 million meals — from Walmart stores, Walmart distribution centers and Sam’s Club locations. Walmart increased food donations by 81 million pounds over its fiscal year 2009 totals.

“We’ve challenged ourselves to look at ways to make long-lasting impacts in communities around the globe by funding programs that address critical needs, like hunger, education and job training,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. “Our business is growing and as a result we’re fortunate that our charitable giving is increasing as well.”