Home improvement giants provide wildfire relief
Raging fires continue to cause immense destruction throughout Southern California, but help is on the way. The hardware, home improvement and building supply worlds are among the heroes stepping in to provide support.
N.C.-based Lowe's has pledged $2 million to support relief and recovery efforts in response to the devastating wildfires.
Lowe's says its donation will assist first responders and nonprofits that are supporting evacuations, emergency shelter and distributing urgently needed supplies like water, N95 masks, air purifiers, ash sifters and storage.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone in harm's way and with the tireless first responders who are battling the fires around the clock. Lowe's is here to help our resilient neighbors as they continue to face unprecedented destruction and begin the long road to recovery," said Marvin Ellison, Lowe's chairman and CEO.
Lowe's says its Emergency Command Center is closely monitoring the wildfires and community needs in order to route supplies to areas directly impacted by the wildfires and to the broader region impacted by power outages and poor air quality.
Home Depot is offering a helping hand as well, announcing on LinkedIn that its foundation is pledging $1 million for relief efforts.
“We’re working with our nonprofit partners to evaluate the immediate needs in impacted areas and get essential relief supplies into the community as quickly as possible,” said Erin Izen, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation.
Home Depot says its stores in Southern California have already donated water, masks and other essential supplies to nonprofit organizations to support people in need.
In Los Angeles, The Home Depot’s associate volunteer force, Team Depot, is packing fire relief kits for Convoy of Hope and Operation Blessing to distribute in impacted areas. These kits include essentials like safety goggles, cleaning supplies, trash bags and utility tools for those who need immediate support due to wildfire damage.
Right now, Home Depot reports that its partners are responding across 17 distribution sites.
- Total meals distributed to date: 37,388.
- More than 300,000 pounds of relief supplies distributed.
- Essential supplies like food, water, hygiene items, N95 masks, and air purifiers in Calabasas and a medical facility in Santa Fe Springs.
Home Depot lists its partners in this crisis response.
- Team Rubicon: Supporting points of distribution, service projects at food banks and pre-arranged mitigation projects.
- American Red Cross: Established shelter locations where displaced individuals and families are seeking safe refuge. Through shelters, the Red Cross is distributing meals and providing supplies such as cots, blankets and water. Additionally, hundreds of responders are on the ground supporting the relief effort.
- Convoy of Hope: Distributing truckloads of essential supplies in the area, including food, water and hygiene items.
- Operation Blessing: Distributed essential items including water, solar lanterns, hygiene kits and more, along with meals to those impacted.
- ToolBank USA: In position to provide support for both immediate and long-term recovery efforts.
- World Central Kitchen: Distributed thousands of meals to the public, first responders and emergency workers across more than a dozen distribution sites.
