With the catastrophic storms, power outages and water shortages affecting Texas, Tennessee, Louisiana and Mississippi, Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation are committing up to $1 million in cash and in-kind product donations to help with response efforts. As part of the commitment, funds will support Feeding Texas’ emergency response efforts in Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, the Rio Grande Valley and other areas across the state impacted by winter weather.
Food banks in these areas are working hard to set up critical distribution locations to connect those in need with food and essential items.
Additionally, funds will support response efforts in Tennessee, Louisiana and Mississippi.
“Hundreds of thousands of Texans are going to turn to food banks in the days and weeks to come, on top of the millions already struggling to feed their families during the pandemic,” said Celia Cole, CEO of Feeding Texas.
“We are grateful for the foundation’s incredible generosity during these challenging times. This donation will help Texas food banks keep their communities nourished and resilient through this crisis.”
Walmart is tracking the winter weather across the country in real-time and has activated its Emergency Operations Center at the home office to support associates in the field.
During times of disaster, the company’s priority is the safety of associates, helping those displaced and affected by the storms. The company has also dedicated emergency support teams helping stores get needed supplies and products in stock and on shelves as quickly as possible.
“This extreme winter weather is leaving our associates, customers and communities without heat, water and electricity, the basic services we all depend on every day,” said Dan Bartlett, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Walmart Inc. “We gladly leverage our resources to help these hard-hit communities, and we stand with Texas and all those affected.”
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. Since FY2017, Walmart and its foundation have donated more than $58 million in cash and in-kind donations to support disaster preparedness and relief efforts.
About Philanthropy at Walmart: Walmart.org represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and its foundation. By focusing where the business has unique strengths, Walmart.org works to tackle key social and environmental issues and collaborate with others to spark long-lasting systemic change. There are stores in 25 countries, employs more than 2.2 million associates and does business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Walmart.org is helping people live better by supporting programs to accelerate upward job mobility for front-line workers, advance equity, address hunger, build inclusive economic opportunity for people in supply chains, protect and restore nature, reduce waste and emissions, and build strong communities where Walmart operates. To learn more, visit www.walmart.org or connect on Twitter @Walmartorg.