PORTAGE | The Wal-Mart Supercenter donated $24,500 to local community organizations at its newly expanded store Sunday afternoon.

"This is one way we can say thanks to the community where we all live and work," store manager Richard Updegraff said.

Portage Food Pantry Director Leonard Carrol said the $5,000 the pantry received from Wal-Mart will go far.

"This donation has the purchasing power of $34,000," Carrol said. "Without it, we couldn't exist."

The pantry purchases food at a discount from Second Harvest, a national food bank network, and also receives nonperishable food donations from schools, churches and other community organizations.

Robin Haddox, president of the Portage Little League, said Wal-Mart's donation funds a variety of programs this year for the more than 700 children involved in the league.

"We're funded through donations through local businesses," Haddox said. "This money will help with the upkeep of our fields and equipment."

Haddox said the money will also help fund the Challenger League for children with physical and mental disabilities.

Other organizations that received donations Sunday include Portage Youth Basketball, the Boys and Girls Club, the library, Portage High School boys track and field and girls softball teams, Portage Fire and Police departments, the Portage Park Foundation, the North Shore Clinic, the Make a Wish Foundation, the American Heart Association, and Portage High School Teacher of the Year Cathy Kotyuk.

The new Wal-Mart Supercenter will hold a public grand opening celebration Wednesday beginning with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 a.m.

The $5 million, 83,000-square-foot expansion added 200 jobs and includes a 45,000-square-foot food market, which will be open 24 hours.