Donations will go to assist organizations leading relief efforts in the U.S. and the Bahamas
BENTONVILLE, Ark.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian in North Carolina, South Carolina and the Bahamas, Walmart, Sam’s Club, and Walmart.org are committing up to $500,000 in cash and in-kind donations for relief and recovery.
The commitment will support organizations that are helping meet the needs of those affected by Hurricane Dorian and are actively engaged in responding to impacted communities in both the U.S. and the Bahamas, like the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. As part of this commitment, Walmart is also working closely with local officials and government entities to help meet the needs of those affected.
“Our customers and associates in North and South Carolina have experienced the impacts of this storm, and our hearts go out to the people of the Bahamas and the devastation they are facing there,” Julie Gehrki, vice president, philanthropy at Walmart, said. “In times like these, the efforts of our local stores and distribution centers, as well as the non-profits, first responders, local officials and government organizations to meet the needs of the affected communities have never been more important. We are grateful to all those providing relief and we want to do our part to help.”
In emergencies like a hurricane, the company’s first priority is the safety of its associates. Walmart and Sam’s Club work to take care of associates and their families by communicating with store and club location management teams, reminding associates of emergency procedures and what to do during and after the storm. Other company efforts in response to the storm include:
- Providing support to associates who have been impacted with disaster-support assistance, setting up support centers in the impacted areas, and proactively calling associates to conduct wellness checks.
- Providing prescriptions and immunizations to customers during and after this emergency through Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies, which will be open as long as conditions are safe for customers and associates.
- Working with suppliers to help stores and clubs stay in stock. Walmart stores and Sam’s Clubs will be prepared to open up as soon as possible so they can support communities in the affected area. Company pharmacies will also work with patients who might be displaced or have previously received prescriptions from another pharmacy.
- Centralizing relief efforts through the Walmart Emergency Operations Center (EOC) which operates 24 hours a day tracking storm impacts and supporting associates’ needs and well-being. The EOC also facilitates store recovery and is supporting community relief efforts in the impacted regions.
- Activating emergency support teams dedicated to helping stores and club locations during critical events such as this one and providing subject-matter experts in logistics and emergency management to assist local emergency operations centers.
Walmart has a long history of providing aid in times of disasters, helping communities prepare and recover by donating emergency supplies, such as food and water, home and personal products. In the past two years, for example, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation gave nearly $50 million in cash, water, food and other products to support victims of hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes. Additionally, during the same time period, the company raised $44 million in donations from customers to support hurricane relief.
“While Walmart has always helped communities in times of disaster, the experience of Hurricane Katrina helped us realize how we best draw on our strengths to provide relief in the aftermath of disaster,” Gehrki said. “Since Katrina, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have formalized our disaster response program to quickly help those who have been hit hardest. Walmart.org, which represents the combined philanthropic efforts of both Walmart and the Walmart Foundation, supports efforts to help communities build resiliency and respond more quickly and effectively when disaster strikes.”
About Walmart
Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) helps people around the world save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in retail stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, over 275 million customers and members visit our more than 11,300 stores under 58 banners in 27 countries and eCommerce websites. With fiscal year 2019 revenue of $514.4 billion, Walmart employs over 2.2 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting http://corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at http://facebook.com/walmart and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/walmart.
About Philanthropy at Walmart
Walmart.org represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. By leaning in where our business has unique strengths, we work to tackle key social issues and collaborate with others to spark long-lasting systemic change. Walmart has stores in 27 countries, employing more than 2 million associates and doing business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Walmart.org is helping people live better by supporting programs that work to accelerate upward job mobility for frontline workers, address hunger and make healthier, more sustainably-grown food a reality, and build strong communities where Walmart operates. To learn more, visit www.walmart.org or find us on Twitter @walmartorg.
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