$20 MILLION in aid pledged by Wal-Mart, foundation.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and the Walmart Foundation added to their relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, announcing plans to commit up to $20 million in support for the region.
The company said its updated commitment would include up to $10 million that will go toward American Red Cross shelters and another $10 million for organizations providing relief like the Salvation Army and Feeding America.
The increased support builds on an announcement earlier this week when WalMart and the Walmart Foundation said they would give at least $1 million toward relief efforts.
“Our Texas family of customers and associates are experiencing devastating impact from this storm,” Wal-Mart Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon said in a prepared statement. “We are on the ground to help our friends and neighbors in the Gulf region, and we’ll continue to be in the tough days, weeks and months ahead.”
Wal-Mart’s commitment to the American Red Cross centers on a campaign that will include customers. WalMart will match every donation of cash or supplies made at Wal-Mart stores two times up to $10 million. For example, if a customer donates $1 to relief efforts Wal-Mart will pledge $2.
Wal-Mart said its initial focus will be providing American Red Cross shelters with basic needs like water, infant formula, diapers, underwear and personal hygiene products. The company also will work on making shelters more comfortable by providing televisions, DVDs, games and stuffed animals for children as well as healthy snacks like fresh fruit.
Among the $10 million designated for other organizations, $2 million will support
the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
“In the midst of the worst storm this region has ever seen, it is wonderful to see corporate partners such as Wal-Mart step up and help Houstonians,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said in a statement. “We are rebuilding and with these funds we will be able to help Houstonians return to normality.”
The company has nearly 600 Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores in Texas, which is more than any state. Many of those stores were affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Spokesman Ragan Dickens said 134 Wal-Mart facilities in Texas were closed Tuesday because of the storm.
As of late Thursday afternoon, seven Wal-Mart stores, one Sam’s Club and one distribution center remained closed.
The company has received calls from 11,000 employees affected by the storm and is helping in various ways, including access to earned wages and disaster support assistance. Wal-Mart has set up support centers in the affected areas for employees
while also providing hot meals to families and conducting wellness checks.
The company said late Wednesday it had shipped more than 1,060 truckloads to the impacted areas, including 930 truckloads of water. A mobile pharmacy manned by Wal-Mart pharmacists was launched in the convention center in Dallas, and another was being set up in Houston to provide prescription-related counseling at no cost to evacuees.
Siri Terjesen, director of the American University Center for Innovation, believes that Wal-Mart’s response to the relief efforts has been impressive.
“So many people across the country and even the world are watching the response, and we’ve seen [Houston pastor] Joel Osteen sort of get thrown under the bus for his lack of response,” Terjesen said. “Wal-Mart is certainly more seasoned in dealing with catastrophes, and they’ve been proactive in helping folks. They’re quite committed to this type of operation.”
Wal-Mart received praise for its quick response to help New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, providing $17 million in cash assistance and $3 million worth of merchandise and in-kind donations, according to the company.
Since 2005, Wal-Mart and the Walmart Foundation have given more than $60 million in cash and in-kind donations in response to disaster events.
“Many people bemoan the rise of the multinational firm and the decline of other types of stores,” Terjesen said. “But in this kind of a case it’s perfect. You really have to be this big to be so impactful.”
Wal-Mart isn’t the only Arkansas company lending support to the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
Tyson Foods announced earlier this week it was deploying teams to prepare meals for responders and those affected by the storm. The company said it was setting up a site for cooking food at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in Conroe, Texas, where free meals will be provided beginning at 11 a.m. today for anyone in need.
Tyson also has announced a $50,000 donation to the American Red Cross and a $50,000 gift to the Salvation Army to assist in disaster relief efforts in Texas. In addition, a distribution network will be established with local authorities and disaster relief organizations to deliver meals to flood victims in the Houston metro area.
“With nearly 12,000 team members throughout the state of Texas and a facility
in Houston, the damage left by Hurricane Harvey hits close to home,” Debra Vernon, Tyson’s senior director of corporate social responsibility said in a statement. “This deployment wouldn’t be possible without the support of our team members, disaster relief partners and customers who are all volunteering time and resources to make sure our response is as successful as possible.”