( CNN ) -- An Arizona charity may have come out ahead by turning down a gift from the nation 's largest retailer -- a snub that grabbed headlines and renewed interest in the labor practices of big business . Casa Maria Free Kitchen , a Tucson-based food bank , rejected a $ 1,000 donation from Wal-Mart , joining a chorus of voices demanding better pay , fairer work schedules and affordable health care . The retailer had made $ 15,000 in donations to several charities as part of its typical outreach to community groups after opening a new store . But the Arizona charity said Tuesday that their snub netted much more than what Wal-Mart had offered after an outpouring of local donations came from those concerned about the store 's effect on union jobs and small businesses . And yet , it may have all stemmed from a simple mistake . On October 26 , Wal-Mart opened a new outlet in Tucson , boasting 300 new jobs and pledging thousands to charities identified by local political leaders . `` We had expected Casa Maria to be at the grand opening , '' said Delia Garcia , a Wal-Mart spokeswoman . But the food bank , which says it bags about 500 daily lunches for low- and no-income residents , never planned to attend . `` We had a big meeting about it and decided not to take the money , '' said charity organizer Brian Flagg . But Wal-Mart still included the group in its news release , which it later called a miscommunication . `` At that point , we had to do something , '' said Flagg , who wrote a letter entitled `` CORRECTION '' to the editorial board of his local newspaper . From there , the attention snowballed as news outlets reported on the defiant local charity that had rebuffed the retail giant . `` At the very least , it got us talking about the 'Walmartization ' of America , and whether that 's a good thing , '' said Flagg . And those concerned about the discount stores ' effects have continued opening their checkbooks , he added . `` I do n't have a set dollar amount that we 've received , but I 'm sure it was substantially more than Wal-Mart offered us , '' Flagg said . `` When people sent us checks , they also wrote 'thank for your stance on Wal-Mart . ' '' The retailer responded Tuesday with a statement detailing its `` long history of supporting Tucson nonprofits . '' `` Since 2009 , Wal-Mart has donated more than $ 345,000 to local Tucson organizations that are supporting the community 's needs , '' it said . `` Our pay and benefits typically meet or exceed what 's offered by the majority of our competitors ; we promote from within , our turnover rate is below the industry average and our associates ' satisfaction scores have trended higher over the past few years . '' The average wage of a full-time Wal-Mart employee in Arizona is $ 12.52 per hour , with the company reporting that it picks up about 75 % of premium health care costs . But part-time employees who work fewer than an average of 30 hours per week do not qualify for those benefits . As a capital-versus-labor debate again flares up across the country , Flagg 's rebuff drew a heady response . `` I have never given to Casa Maria before but when I read about them rejecting a donation from Wal-Mart I sent them a check , '' Tucson resident Kim Crooks posted on Facebook . `` I have never been in a Wal-Mart and never will . They have come into to many communities and put the small locally run businesses out of business . '' But the move also sparked criticism about whether the group had shirked its main responsibility to feed the hungry . `` I think that these people are horrible , '' Jen Switalski posted on the site . `` As a charity they should take what they can get . '' The local spate coincided with Black Friday demonstrations at Wal-Mart stores over pay , schedules and health care . Critics also say the stores ' low prices squeeze out mom-and-pop competitors , depress wages and encourage foreign-based manufacturing while discouraging unionized labor . Supporters argue that Wal-Mart instead offers competitive wages and that its bargain prices foster consumer spending critical to a beleaguered economy . Wal-Mart and firms like it , they say , also give low-income households a chance to purchase otherwise unaffordable luxury products such as large-screen televisions and other electronics . So who 's right ? According to a 2008 study by West Virginia University economics professor Russell Sobel , Wal-Mart has had no real impact on the number of small businesses in the United States . And while mom-and-pop stores that are forced to compete with the retail giant are often put out of business , other businesses have taken their place , the study found . Others such as Robert Reich , a professor of public policy at the University of California at Berkeley and a former U.S. secretary of labor , argue that jobs filling those voids often offer low-wage , no-benefit occupations , limiting the purchasing power of America 's middle class and poor . Read more about this story from CNN affiliate KGUN .
A Tucson-based food bank rejected a $ 1,000 donation from Wal-Mart last month . The food bank joins demands for better pay , work schedules and affordable health care . Wal-Mart routinely offers donations in communities where it opens new stores .