Industry giants assist Texas
Heavyweights in the home channel industry have made contributions to regions of the nation that were recently impacted by harsh winter storms, including Texas.
The Home Depot Foundation said it is committing up to $500,000 in aid with immediate relief efforts and short- and long-term recovery for communities impacted by historic winter storms, Uri and Viola.
The Home Depot’s philanthropic arm said the incremental commitment is in addition to the foundation’s annual grants of $3.6 million to disaster relief national nonprofit partners, bringing the current total commitment for 2021 to $4.1 million.
Lowe’s announced a $250,000 donation to American Red Cross disaster relief. The donation will help the Red Cross provide shelter, food, relief supplies, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like the winter storms in Texas.
The retailer supported Red Cross relief efforts in Texas last year following Hurricane Laura and launched a point-of-sale donation program last fall that raised more than $3 million for Red Cross disaster relief with the help of customers.
Tractor Supply has also announced a donation of $100,000 to agriculture, pet and livestock organizations in the Lone Star State recovering from the recent winter storms.
“When these unprecedented storms ravaged Texas, we knew our Tractor Supply neighbors would need help. In addition to ensuring the safety of our Team Members and keeping our stores in stock to aid in recovery, we quickly began searching for additional ways to help,” said Christi Korzekwa, senior vice president of Marketing at Tractor Supply. “As a native of Texas with family all over the state, I know this storm caused immense devastation for countless people. With these donations, we hope to support local farmers and animal shelters as they aim to get back on their feet and continue the important work they’re doing for our communities, the state and agriculture across Texas.”
More than 200 Texas Tractor Supply stores will each donate $250 in gift cards to local organizations in need of recovery support. In addition to the local support, the Tractor Supply Company Foundation has donated $50,000 to the Texas Center for Local Food, a group dedicated to supporting family farms and ranch prosperity in the state.
In partnership with experienced national nonprofit organizations, including Convoy of Hope, Operation Blessing, American Red Cross and Semper Fi & America’s Fund, The Home Depot Foundation deployed essential supplies to the areas stricken with power outages, water shortages, freezing temperatures and plumbing damage. The foundation works with national and local nonprofit partners on an ongoing basis to proactively position emergency supplies and promote timely distribution to communities in need.
“Our hearts and prayers go out to our associates and the communities suffering from the effects of these catastrophic winter storms,” said Shannon Gerber, executive director of The Home Depot Foundation. “We’re working with heightened intentionality to mobilize critical supplies and provide emergency repairs, once safe to proceed.”
Home Depot also engaged its Emergency Response Team to respond to the immediate needs of its stores, associates and communities, flowing supplies into the impacted areas throughout the crisis. The retailer’s merchandising and supply chain teams are working around the clock to replenish in-demand items like plumbing materials, wet/dry vacuums, generators, and cleaning supplies.
The recent winter storms that hit Texas the week of February 15 hit the agriculture industry as well with freezing temperatures and frozen grounds, impacting crop schedules and production. Tractor Supply’s donation will assist with the cost of restoration as well as the purchase of animal feed and farming and gardening equipment. The Texas Center for Local Food, along with seven partner organizations, will distribute the $50,000 monetary donation to support family farms and ranches recovering from the storm, Tractor Supply said.
The Home Depot’s employee assistance program, The Homer Fund, processed more than 1,300 grants for associates affected by the storms and has already provided more than $500,000 in emergency support.
The Foundation has long-established connections with local nonprofits in Texas, and its associate volunteer force, Team Depot, has been partnering with Meals on Wheels Central Texas, Rebuilding Together Houston and the City of Dallas to assess damage and need.
In 2020, The Home Depot Foundation committed more than $4 million to natural disaster relief efforts.