In a time of crisis, communities often turn to their local Wal-Mart to supply necessities such as water, diapers and food. Wal-Mart tries to prepare for such events by shipping critical merchandise in advance, routing emergency generators to the appropriate area and preparing to assist community agencies and affected associates through the Wal-Mart & SAM’S CLUB Foundation.
Wal-Mart’s response to Hurricane Dennis in July 2005 included the following:
Replenishment Activity:
- Number of trailers / pallets of ice dispatched: 30 / 660
- Number of trailers / pallets of water dispatched: 294 / 7048
- Number of trailers / pallets of GM dispatched: 66 / 1582
- Hottest item: 5 gallon gas container
Donations / Agency-Community Assistance:
- $10,000 from the Wal-Mart & SAM’S CLUB Foundation was sent to Tallahassee Red Cross Chapter
- $20,000 from the Wal-Mart & SAM’S CLUB Foundation was sent to Pensacola Red Cross Chapter
- $20,000 from the Wal-Mart & SAM’S CLUB Foundation was sent to Salvation Army
- $50,000 from the Wal-Mart & SAM’S CLUB Foundation was sent to Rebuild Northwest Florida
- The Salvation Army utilized a former SAM’S CLUB property in Tallahassee for staging emergency response vehicles.
- Florida Emergency Management received from Wal-Mart 2,400 cases of diapers, baby food, formula, cots, hand sanitizer, etc.
- The Gulf Breeze Supercenter donated two trailers of ice to their community.
- The Pensacola Supercenter donated 1500 wash cloths and towels for emergency workers.
- Numerous other smaller donations were made at the local level.
This is an example of how we believe each Wal-Mart store, SAMS CLUB and distribution center has a responsibility to contribute to the well being of the local community. In 2004, our more than 3,500 locations contributed more than $170 million to support communities and local non-profit organizations.