FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Walmart Contributes $3,000 in Grants to CSET’s VITA Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 3, 2022

[Download Press Release Here]

Walmart Contributes $3,000 in Grants to CSET’s VITA Program

Grants presented to CSET from the Tulare, Dinuba, and Porterville locations.

[Tulare County, CA ] - Walmart announced three grants totaling $3,000 to Community Services Employment Training (CSET) to support its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. The grant was presented to CSET from Tulare (Store #2536), Dinuba (Store #5394), and Porterville (Store #1877 & Store #6021) locations.

Through the grant, CSET’s VITA program will continue to help low- and moderate-income taxpayers complete their annual tax returns at no cost. In 2021, VITA helped 3,543 residents prepare and file their income tax returns, resulting in $5.9K in tax refunds to Kings and Tulare County families. These federal and state tax returns are filed by trained and certified volunteer tax preparers who generously donate their time to this impactful community program.

Returns can be filed electronically, which allows customers to receive tax refunds in as little as 5-10 business days with direct deposit. VITA is available to low- and moderate-income individuals and families with yearly incomes below $57,000. The VITA program is made possible by a strong partnership with the IRS, County of Tulare, Mechanics Bank, Walmart, and CSET.

“VITA helps taxpayers get the most out of their tax refund and claim eligible tax credits, like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC),” said Raquel Gomez, Community Initiatives Director. “The benefits of VITA extend beyond individual households. Many people use tax refunds to pay bills and support local businesses, helping to build local economies.”

CSET's VITA program connects customers to resources that support access to bank accounts, financial education, and information about other support services. Volunteers are trained in the tax filing process and help taxpayers understand their tax returns and tax-filing responsibilities. This year, VITA is helping taxpayers navigate new tax changes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act so that taxpayers may access the new credits.

CSET thanks our partners at Walmart for this generous investment in our community. To learn more about VITA and how to receive free income tax assistance, visit www.cset.org/vita.

About Philanthropy at Walmart

By using our strengths to help others, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation create opportunities for people to live better every day. Walmart has stores in 28 countries, employing more than 2.3 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Our philanthropy helps people live better by supporting upward job mobility and economic development for the retail workforce; addressing hunger and making healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality; and building strong communities where Walmart operates and inspiring our associates to give back. Whether it is helping to lead the fight against hunger in the United States with $2 billion in cash and in-kind donations or supporting Women’s Economic Empowerment through a series of grants totaling $10 million to the Women in Factories training program in Bangladesh, China, India, and Central America, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are not only working to tackle key social issues, we are also collaborating with others to inspire solutions for long-lasting systemic change. To learn more about Walmart’s giving, visit http://www.foundation.walmart.com

Community Services Employment Training (CSET) inspires youth, families and communities to achieve self-reliance through innovative pathways and collaboration. Since 1976, CSET has been the Community Action Agency for Tulare County. To learn more about CSET’s services and impact in Tulare County, please visit www.cset.org or call (559) 732-4194.

###