Big retailers’ storm relief help
Home Depot and Lowe’s both recently announced more investment in storm relief for communities devastated by tornados and severe weather across the midwest and south.
Lowe’s reported it will donate $500,000 to continue to support relief and recovery efforts across the nation's heartland.
The donation, said the retailer, will assist Lowe’s disaster relief partners including the American Red Cross and Lowe’s nonprofit Pro customers, helping these organizations provide emergency shelter, critical relief supplies, food and comfort to those affected by the tornado outbreak.
“Our stores and associates are committed to providing assistance at a time when our neighbors need us more than ever, and this donation will help our nonprofit and Pro partners respond to critical needs,” said Marvin Ellison, chairman and CEO at Lowe’s.
The Home Depot Foundation increased its financial pledge to communities impacted by tornadoes and severe weather this spring, taking its commitment up to $400,000.
“The Home Depot Foundation and its nonprofit partners stand with these communities and pledge to support both immediate needs and long-term rebuilding efforts in the weeks, months and years ahead,” said Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation.
Over the past two weeks, Team Depot, The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, has partnered alongside nonprofit organizations in more than 14 cities, building disaster relief kits, distributing food, supporting cleanup efforts and more.
Through Team Depot, said the retailer, local stores have donated nearly $100,000 in relief supplies to more than a dozen organizations, including local school districts, police departments, city governments and nonprofits.
The Homer Fund, Home Depot’s employee assistance program, is providing emergency financial support to every impacted associate in need of safe housing, food or clothing.
Last week, Lowe’s associates went door-to-door in Little Rock, Arkansas, Coralville, Iowa, and Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to pass out more than 1,100 free buckets filled with supplies to help residents clean up after tornadoes left widespread damage.
Also, Lowe’s associates partnered with local emergency management officials and first responders to clean up debris and pass out other critical supplies.
“It’s heartbreaking to see the devastation caused by the extreme tornadoes that have impacted our associates and customers across the south and midwest,” said Ellison.
