• by Sarah Mahoney  @mahoney_sarah, January 13, 2011

Some of the country's largest retailers are kicking off the New Year with expanded commitment to their signature causes, with Walmart, Kohl's and Macy's all announcing new initiatives.

Kohl's, already committed to many child-focused efforts, says it is donating $1.5 million over a three-year period to a "Serving Up Supper for Kids" program that will provide some 336,000 meals during summer months, when kids are not in school and have no access to federal food programs. The Menomonee Falls, Wis.-based chain says it will fund the donation through its Kohl's Cares cause merchandise program, which sells plush toys and books and donates 100% of profits to initiatives nationwide.

Kohl's says the donation also fits into the company's hunger-fighting initiatives, which include food drives, and donating fresh produce from Kohl's corporate gardens, including green peppers, beans, cabbage, squash, salad greens, pumpkins and tomatoes. Since 2000, it says, and including the latest gift, such efforts have provided $36 million to support charitable initiatives in the metro-Milwaukee area.