In the same week that local students head back to school, Wal-Mart’s newest Neighborhood Market, opening Aug. 22, at 8 a.m., supports education by contributing $15,000 to area schools. The donation is part of the store’s total grand opening contribution of $30,500 to organizations in the Orlando area. The store is located at 7818 Colonial W. Drive.
“We’re committed to being a good neighbor,” said Store Manager Tasha Renfro. “This pledge means not only providing value and convenience to our shoppers but also support to organizations that positively impact our community, like our local schools,” she added. “Education is the foundation for a strong community. When we support our schools, we’re investing in the future of our community.” Ocoee High School and West Orange High School will each receive $5,000.
Ocoee High School Principal Mike Armbruster was thrilled at the news of the donation to his school. “We are truly a community school and when a company like Wal-Mart makes this kind of contribution to our school, it shows that they really care about what goes on in each of their communities,” Armbruster said. “This donation will go a long way to ensure that our students have what they need to participate in wonderful, positive opportunities. Without the support of community members like Wal-Mart, we could not provide our young people the quality programs that they truly deserve.”
Wal-Mart is one of the largest corporate supporters of teachers and education. Last year alone, Wal-Mart gave away more than $45 million in support of educational initiatives nationwide. The store will also have a budget to give donations away locally throughout the year. Organizations interested in funding can contact the store for details. (Please see page three for a full listing of grant recipients.)
A Cart Full of Savings
Filling the pantry with back-to-school lunchbox favorites is easier for neighboring residents with the time-saving smaller store concept. The brightly colored 39,163-square-foot store is packed full of features including a full line
of groceries, a bakery, deli, frozen foods, meat and dairy products and fresh produce. The store will also have increased selections in organics and produce. A Fresh To Go bar gives customers who want a quick meal the convenience of picking up sandwiches, pastries and drinks. In the nearby deli, rotisserie chicken and freshly prepared foods make meal preparation fast and easy.
“We’ve received great feedback from our neighbors regarding the store,” said Renfro. “They tell us they’re anxious for us to open,” she added. “We feel the same and are counting down the days.”
In addition to food, the store will also carry cosmetics, toiletries, stationery, beer and wine, paper goods, pet products and hardware items and features a Kodak photo processing kiosk and a pharmacy.
The new store will also have a Wal-Mart Money Center to assist customers who are outside of mainstream banking with convenient access to low-cost money services, including check cashing, money orders, bill payment and money transfers. With Wal-Mart’s every day low pricing, customers can save 25 to 50 percent or more over other leading money service providers. It will be open to customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
100 New Jobs for Community
One hundred associates will fill the jobs available at the new store, according to Renfro. “Wal-Mart offers competitive wages, good benefits and unlimited career opportunities,” added Renfro. “I’ve been thrilled with the interest we’ve had in our job openings. We’ve had a steady stream of applications coming in daily and have great associates on board to serve our customers.” The national average wage at Wal-Mart for full-time hourly associates is $10.65 per hour.* Approximately 76 percent of all Wal-Mart store managers begin their Wal-Mart
careers as hourly associates.
Wal-Mart benefits are available to eligible full- and part-time associates -- including healthcare insurance with no lifetime maximum. Wal-Mart also offers a 401(k) plan and profit sharing contributions, whether an associate contributes or not, store discount cards, performance-based bonuses, stock purchase program and life insurance. -Wal-Mart
