Walmart and the Walmart Foundation donated holiday food gift bags to the Kansas National Guard today as a show of support for the men and women serving our state and nation.

Gov. Sam Brownback and Brig. Gen. Scott Dold, chief of the joint staff for Joint Forces Headquarters Kansas, Kansas National Guard, joined Walmart employees and members of the Kansas National Guard to fill the bags at the Topeka Walmart store, 1301 SW 37th Street.

"Its always gratifying to see businesses like Walmart support our military members by hiring veterans and making generous donations like this," said Brownback.

"Walmart has always been a friend to our Kansas military community and on behalf of the men and women of the Kansas National Guard, I want to express our appreciation to Walmart for this thoughtful show of support," said Dold.

"We are honored to take part in the event today with the Kansas National Guard," said Joshua Phair, Walmart Public Affairs. "At Walmart, we are grateful for the sacrifice our nations veterans, military men and women, and their families have made in service to our country. It is not only our duty, but our honor to support our men and women in uniform not only when they are on the battlefield, but also when they return home and transition to civilian life."

After the gift bags were packed, they were taken to the Armed Forces Reserve Center for pick-up by the selected National Guard families.

Walmart also donated gift bags at their stores in Hays, Iola, Salina, Shawnee and Wichita.