Last week, Wal-Mart announced it would be donating $25 million to charities across the state of Alabama, and a portion of that money will go directly to one organization that provides warm meals to the hungriest members of our community.

Out of the total amount donated, Wal-Mart gave $45,000 to the Edmundite Missions, a nonprofit Catholic organization serving Selma and Dallas County.

Speaking last week, Edmundite Missions president and CEO Chad McEachern said the organization has already used the money to purchase a food delivery truck, which they will use to help serve the neediest members of the community.

On a daily basis, McEachern said employees and volunteers at the Missions prepare and deliver 200 meals to homebound residents of the community. Matched with the hundreds more served daily at the Missions’ Bosco Food Kitchen, it is clear this organization is doing its part to improve the world.

While the daily food deliveries are a large part of the work at the Edmundite Missions, the group goes above and beyond its calling to serve our community.

When harsh winter temperatures and frozen precipitation descended on the Black Belt this winter, the Missions worked with a local hotel manager to find rooms for dozens of homeless people.

Without the help of the Missions, it is likely some of these people might not have survived the frigid temperatures.

Certainly, Wal-Mart should be commended for this charitable act. It is refreshing to see one of the most lucrative companies in the country helping so many charitable organizations across our state.

That compassionate mentality is so very needed these days, especially when the disparity between the haves and the have-nots is wider than ever.

Since the company began donating food and money to charitable organizations across the country, Wal-Mart and the Wal-Mart Foundation have donated 1.58 billion pounds of food, which is the equivalent of approximately 1.32 billion meals. They have awarded $260 million to hunger relief programs in the country.

Wal-Mart’s donation of $25 million will make a world of difference to the charitable organizations receiving money.

Wal-Mart and the Edmundite Missions have done their part to better our community, so now it is up to us. Donations of food, money and clothing are always accepted at the Missions office, located at 1428 Broad St. in Selma.

The Edmundite Missions are far from the only organization in the state working to care for the needy, but they have made an indelible difference on Selma and Dallas County. And with the help of those of us who are able, the Missions can reach more and more people in need.