Nonprofit executives attending what they thought was a "pitch day" for Lyda Hill Philanthropies were surprised and thrilled to discover $110,000 checks taped underneath their chairs.

The $2.2 million distribution on Dec. 10 supports infrastructure and discretionary needs at 20 charities, including repairing stucco and showers at Genesis Women's Shelter and Support and fixing up ChildCareGroup's playground.

The other beneficiaries were: Attitudes and Attire, Bonton Farms, Bridge Breast Network, Commit Partnership, Dallas CASA, Dallas Historical Society, Educational First Steps, Equest, Family Gateway, Family Place, Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, John Bunker Sands Wetland Center, Nexus Recovery Center, Paul Quinn College, Solar Preparatory School for Girls, Trinity River Mission, VNA and Vogel Alcove.

"We said, let's invite 20 agencies that we think are doing wonderful work in the community to apply for an infrastructure grant for up to $100,000," explained Lyda Hill Philanthropies president Nicole Small.

"We vetted them," she continued. "Some of them we called and said, 'You didn't ask for enough money.' That's something they don't hear very often."

She invited them to discuss their applications at a breakfast meeting at Maplewood private social club.

"We told them they would pitch in order, and the order number was under their chair," Small explained. "One by one they opened it and saw the check."

The extra $10,000 was added for discretionary needs, she noted.

"We need to remember that nonprofits can't do their work if they're not resourced with the things most businesses enjoy, like people and technology," Small said.

Lyda Hill Philanthropies is a new umbrella that encompasses Lyda Hill Foundation and Hill's personal giving, Small explained.

She also is CEO of LH Capital, formerly known as LH Holdings.

"We figure out how to use Lyda's capital to do the most good in the world," Small said. "We can invest in companies that are doing good, too."

Walmart goes big

Walmart, Sam's Club and the Walmart Foundation have given $20.9 million in grants and merchandise to charities in Dallas-Fort Worth in fiscal 2018, which ended Jan. 31.

Hunger relief is a primary mission, and the retailing giant supplied 11.4 million pounds of food, or approximately 9.5 million meals, to area charities, noted Walmart spokeswoman Anne Hatfield.

The food donation program has been running for many years, but this is the first time the company drilled down the data to analyze regional giving, she explained.

North Texas Food Bank president and CEO Trisha Cunningham affirmed: "Our operations here in North Texas would not be the same without the help of our friends at Walmart. We are grateful for their continued generosity that helps us provide life-sustaining nutrition for people across our community."

Walmart works closely with the agency to quickly sort and distribute foodstuffs that are healthful but approaching the end of their shelf life. The strategy combats hunger while cutting landfill waste and methane emissions from decomposing food.

Across Texas, the conglomerate gave money and goods worth $133.7 million to nonprofits in fiscal 2018.

Walmart was among 21 corporations cited by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency for its commitment to cut food waste in half by 2030. Others include Aramark, Blue Apron, Kroger, PepsiCo and Sprouts Farmers Market. For the full list, visit usda.gov/foodlossandwaste.