Hurricane Relief
Wal-Mart announced a $2.5 million commitment to assist with relief efforts in relation to Hurricanes Ike and Gustav (see release here). This is a mix of cash and product donations assisting longtime Wal-Mart disaster response partners the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Feeding America as well as supporting the relief efforts of the Texas Disaster Relief Fund and Baton Rouge Area Foundation. Product donations to date include more than two dozen truckloads each of both ice and water in areas affected by the storm (that's over one million bottles of water), six truckloads of food provided to the Texas Food Bank, clothing donations for 2,000 people at a Houston shelter and 3,000 evacuees in Dallas, plus cribs for shelters and towels and blankets used by search and rescue crews, just to name a few.  Wal-Mart’s Pharmacy division is assisting with the prescription needs of evacuees at 16 shelters in the Dallas Metroplex, including the Dallas Convention Center, and an additional shelter in Monroe, La.
Wal-Mart also has three tractor trailers and drivers assigned to assist the state in delivering relief supplies into the affected areas. It is also donating the use of one of its former store locations to the Red Cross for its use in relief efforts. Associate Assistance:  Wal-Mart recognizes the hardship natural disasters pose to families throughout the area of impact. Our own associates also have needs. In addition to providing preparedness programs for our associates to help them look after their individual needs in advance of a disaster, Wal-Mart also has a number of measures in place to help ease the burden of dealing with such unforeseen events.
- To date, the Wal-Mart Foundation’s Associate Disaster Relief Grant program has allocated more than $2 million in grants for associates who have sustained significant damage to their homes.
- Wal-Mart set up a toll-free number for associates who need assistance (English and Spanish) or need to check in with their facility. Here, they could also get needed information about when their store would reopen and when and where they may report to work.
- To date, more than 67,000 calls have been logged from associates using the system to get help or information in relation to Hurricane Ike. More than 127,000 calls have been received since Hurricane Gustav began posing a threat to the U.S.
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