Walmart Donates $2.5 Million In Response to Hurricanes Ike and GustavRetailer partners with American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, Feeding America, the Texas Disaster Relief Fund and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to Provide Aid to those Affected in Texas and Louisiana Bentonville, Ark., September 16, 2008 – Responding to the hurricanes that have swept through Louisiana and Texas, Walmart announces today a $2.5 million commitment to assist with relief efforts. The retailer’s commitment – a combination of both cash and merchandise donations – will provide much needed support to those affected by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav. In addition to continuing product donations, such as water, food, and hygiene products, the contributions announced today will support longtime Walmart partners in the area of disaster response, the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, and Feeding America. The donation will also support the Texas Disaster Relief Fund and Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s efforts in Louisiana and Texas. Each organization will receive a portion of the commitment. “At Walmart, we work hard to provide support to the communities we serve when they need it most,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Walmart Foundation. “Given the magnitude and the devastation caused by Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, it is important that we intensify our relief efforts and help those who have been affected.” Walmart is also committed to helping to ease the burden for its associates who are dealing with these unforeseen events. To date, the Walmart Foundation has allocated more than $2 million in grants to associates who have sustained significant damage to their homes. "In this time of disaster, aid from Texas' private sector is invaluable to our relief and restoration efforts," said Gov. Perry. "The unwavering support from corporate leaders across the country, like Walmart, is making an incredible impact toward restoring Texas communities and easing recovery efforts throughout our state. We cannot thank Walmart enough for their generous donation to the Texas Disaster Relief Fund which will be a powerful asset as we work to deliver needed supplies to Texans affected by Hurricane Ike." "We are very appreciative of Walmart's contribution to the American Red Cross, which will help us provide much needed relief to those in need during the 2008 hurricane season," said Jeffrey Towers, Chief Development Officer of the American Red Cross. "It's through the generous support of corporations such as Walmart that we are able to assist all of our community members in the midst of natural disasters." “Walmart’s contribution to The Salvation Army in this time of need is just another example of the generous support they have provided us throughout the years,” said Major George Hood, National Community Relations Secretary at The Salvation Army. “This donation furthers our ability to provide long-term care and comfort to the individuals and families who have lost so much following these hurricanes, something that is greatly appreciated.” “We are thrilled to receive this generous donation from the Walmart Foundation. Hurricane Ike has left thousands and thousands of people throughout Texas and Louisiana urgently in need of emergency food, bottled water and other groceries. Our food bank in Houston alone estimates that it will need to provide 500,000 pounds of food and grocery products every day for the next six weeks to meet the need,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. “Meanwhile, Baton Rouge and other areas throughout Louisiana are still reeling from the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. Walmart has come forward with a much-needed financial gift to help make our work possible.” Walmart has long been recognized as a corporate leader in the area of disaster relief. The company, in 2005, helped the victims of Hurricane Katrina by donating more than $32 million in cash to aid emergency relief efforts, which included $2 million in contributions to the Red Cross. Last year, Walmart provided more than $2 million in disaster relief funds to assist with recovery from floods and tornadoes as well as wildfires and winter storms nationwide. Long-standing partnerships with the Red Cross and The Salvation Army have made many of these efforts possible. For additional information on Walmart’s hurricane relief efforts, visit http://walmartstores.com/CommunityGiving/. About Philanthropy at Walmart About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) Editor’s note: Details on store operations and Walmart’s response to associate need following Hurricanes Ike and Gustav are outlined at http://walmartstores.com/CommunityGiving/244.aspx?p=231 |
