To all those seeking the latest scandalous rhetoric about Sam Walton's Frankenstein monster, I regret that I must disappoint. In Benton County, Arkansas, it is not possible to have a one-sided view of Walmart, calling the World's Largest Retailer evil for its low wages, its policies against unions, and its devastating effect on smaller competitors (which is everyone) without acknowledging, even if it is with a sense of guilt, the remarkably positive impact the company's charitable giving has had within our own communities. This is neither a retelling of Walmart's good deeds, but to tell this story, we must first tip our hat to the much (self) heralded Walmart Foundation.
At its heart, this tale is about Habitat for Humanity, the Bible-based house builders who have put roofs over many heads except, at least in Benton County, for its own.
The basics can be dispensed with quickly, as the details are in this account. The local Habitat chapter spotted a nice piece of land in Rogers that it couldn't afford, so it sold its home in Bentonville to raise the money, but it only had land in Rogers and no building, so it rented its old building from its new owner for an obscenely bad rate leaving it trying to raise more money to keep the place it had and even more money to build the place it needed, all the while professing faith that God would bring them through.
God, at least in this case, is the Walmart Foundation.
This is the most common prayer in Benton County, where non-profits are always seeking grants from "large investors." For all practical purposes, there are only two organizations that qualify — the Walmart Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation.
The prayer goes something like this:
"Dear Walmart, we come to you in our hour of need, asking that you once again bless us with your generosity. We know we are but ants in your radiant glory, but we beseech you to grant our humble request. All the good we plan, we will do while carrying your banner that yours will be the honor.
"And overlook our faults, though they be many, as we have not the resources for flawless planning that you possess. Our ideas, our proposals, our ponderings all must pale in comparison to the magnificent endeavors you have successfully undertaken. In our imperfection, we fall well short of the example you have set.
"Your name shall be always on our lips and always on our press releases.
"In Sam's name we pray.
"Amen."
The exaggeration is only slight. This community has elevated Walmart and the founding family to the role of savior. And it is true that many organization is still intact thanks to a generous check from Walmart or a Walton. But maybe there are too many of them.
For many non-profits, living in Walmart's shadow means putting once hand out to shake and the other out to take the money. There is an expectation that Walmart is obligated to support such groups because of its wealth, but that only masks the shortcomings of those seeking a handout. Walmart's money has more than compensated for many a sloppy organization, just like it will probably do with Habitat.
Walmart may be an enabler, but it is time for all these vagabond groups reaching toward the Home Office with their tin cups to put away their cardboard signs and start working to make their own money. Otherwise, Rogers may want to start enforcing its panhandling ban.
