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NEW YORK — Mass retailers Target Corp., Dollar General Corp. and Rite Aid Corp. are supporting relief efforts in the Gulf oil spill and the Southeast floods with donations of cash and supplies.
Mass retailers Target Corp., Dollar General Corp. and Rite Aid Corp. are supporting relief efforts in the Gulf oil spill and the Southeast floods with donations of cash and supplies.
Target said it’s donating $50,000 to the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Oil Spill Restoration Fund. The funds will be used to protect and rescue wildlife and habitats impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and restore fragile nesting and breeding grounds damaged by oil infiltration.
"We are grateful for the tremendous work being done by the National Wildlife Federation and other nonprofit organizations in response to this disaster, and we will continue to monitor the situation and provide assistance as needed," Anthony Heredia, Target’s vice president of corporate risk and responsibility, said in a statement.
"Our heartfelt thanks go out to Target for its assistance in supporting our relief efforts," commented Jaime Matyas, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the National Wildlife Federation. "It is imperative that all available resources are directed to protecting and restoring the Gulf’s wildlife and habitats in response to this devastating oil spill."
Meanwhile, Dollar General and Rite Aid are providing assistance as Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee continue their recovery from devastating floods.
Dollar General said it’s providing more than $200,000 in cash and merchandise to assist with flood recovery efforts in Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee.
The deep discount retailer is donating $90,000 to the American Red Cross and $10,000 in gift cards to Second Harvest Food Bank. The company will be donating more than $70,000 in merchandise to help those affected by the flood. In addition, the company is contributing $20,000 to United Way’s Restore the Dream fund, which was established in 1999 by Dollar General and Cal Turner Jr., a member of Dollar General’s founding family, to help nonprofits rebuild and recover after a natural disaster.
"Dollar General is committed to helping our neighbors recover quickly from this disaster," stated Rick Dreiling, Dollar General chairman and CEO. "These funds will help a number of nonprofit organizations in providing food, shelter, water and support for families who have been displaced by the flood."
Immediately following the flood, Dollar General donated more than $20,000 in supplies to the American Red Cross, including personal hygiene products, socks, underwear, diapers and other baby products. In addition, the company donated cleaning supplies to Second Harvest Food Bank.
Rite Aid said it’s donating vital supplies to help the victims, families and communities affected by the flooding in Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee. The drug store chain said The Rite Aid Foundation is providing water, food, cleaning and first aid supplies to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
"We are proud to partner with the American Red Cross in their mission to bring relief to those most affected by these devastating floods and hope that our donation helps to make the recovery and rebuilding process a little easier," Rite Aid chairman and chief executive officer Mary Sammons said in a statement.
The severe flooding earlier this month resulted from storms that dumped recording-breaking levels of rain on the region, swelling lakes, rivers, streams and drainage systems well over capacity and catching many residents by surprise. Tornadoes also hit some areas. The disaster has caused dozens of deaths.
"Flood waters can wreak damage on homes and can take days to recede. As our operations in the affected areas continue, the Red Cross is grateful for support from The Rite Aid Foundation that will help us provide relief and other extended assistance to enable people to get back on their feet," commented Neal Litvack, chief development officer for the American Red Cross.
“This contribution of bottled water, snacks and supplies is critical," Litvack added, "because it, along with the support of the American public, enables the Red Cross to provide help and hope to those coping with the devastating aftermath of these floods."
