As Tornadoes and Floods Continue, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Walmart.Org Announce Additional Commitment for Disaster Relief in the Midwest and South, Bringing Total Support to $500,000
New $150,000 commitment includes cash and in-kind product donations to assist organizations providing relief services
BENTONVILLE, Ark., May 29, 2019 /3BL Media/ - In response to the record floods and tornados that have continued to impact Midwestern and Southern states this spring, Walmart, Sam’s Club and Walmart.org have committed to provide an additional $150,000 in support through cash and product donations. This builds on earlier commitments in March and early May and brings the total support committed to $500,000.
The relief commitments are providing support to states across the Midwest and South, including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas. The latest commitment will provide an additional $150,000 in product donations and cash grants to organizations actively engaged in responding to impacted communities. As part of this commitment, Walmart is also working closely with local officials and government entities to help meet the needs of those affected.
“The ongoing impact of tornados and historic floods continues to affect our associates, our customers and communities across the Midwest and South,” said Julie Gehrki, vice president, philanthropy at Walmart. “Our local stores and distribution centers, as well as the non-profits, first responders, local officials and government organizations continue to work hard to meet the needs of the affected communities we serve, and we are so grateful for their combined efforts.”
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 represents the combined philanthropic efforts of both Walmart and the Walmart Foundation, and 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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