Yuma, AZ - Thousands of people logged onto Facebook to vote for Yuma to receive funds from Wal-Mart's nationwide "Fighting Hunger together Campaign, "and now everyone's participation is going to pay off.
Yuma received more than 5,300 votes securing the 11th spot in the top 21 communities to receive a grant.
$50,000 dollars will be distributed to hunger relief organizations here locally.
First place went to Youngstown Warren Ohio, They will be awarded 1 million dollars.
"We are just grateful that the Yuma community turned out to vote and out of 200 cities in the country that really shows how generous and incredible the people in Yuma really are," says Mike Ivers with the Yuma Community Food Bank.
Ivers says Wal-Mart's campaign came at a critical time. The food bank is hoping they will receive a portion of the $50,000 dollars. During spring and summer months the food bank sees a decrease in donations and an increase in need.
"23,000 people came here in March and we are getting 400 to 500 new families every month. The need is greater than ever," says Iver.
Communities included in the campaign were chosen to compete based on a list put out by the Department of U.S. labor.
Wal-Mart was looking to help areas in the country with the highest rates of unemployment. Wal-Mart expects to announce which organizations will be receiving the grants by May 15th.
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