help those affected by last week’s storms
Bentonville, Ark., Feb. 11, 2008 – In response to a line of tornadoes and thunderstorms that swept across the midsection of the U.S. last week, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. today announced that it is committing $500,000 to assist with relief efforts. The company’s support, which includes both cash and product donations, will enable quick response to those affected by these storms.
Longtime Wal-Mart partners in the area of disaster response, the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army, will each receive a portion of the donation. Since the storms struck on February 5, the Red Cross has established more than 14 shelters in Arkansas, Kentucky, Alabama, Indiana and Tennessee, and has provided meals to displaced residents and emergency workers. Wal-Mart’s donation of $300,000 to the Red Cross will help support these continued efforts.
“We are grateful for Wal-Mart’s generous contribution, which will help the Red Cross provide much needed relief, comfort and hope to victims of disasters like the tornadoes that struck communities across the South,” said Mary Elcano, acting president and CEO of the American Red Cross. “On behalf of the individuals, families and communities that are beginning their difficult path to recovery, we thank Wal-Mart for helping to make a difference.”
The Salvation Army also has been on site in the affected areas in Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi since last Wednesday. A $100,000 donation to the organization from Wal-Mart will assist Salvation Army efforts to provide shelter to those displaced by the storm, as well as to feed and council all storm victims.
"Once again, our friends and partners at Wal-Mart have come alongside The Salvation Army to provide immediate and ongoing relief to individuals recovering from disaster,” said Major George Hood, national community relations and development secretary for The Salvation Army. “We are grateful that this gift will further our ability to provide long-term care and comfort to the individuals and families who have lost so much in the wake of last week’s destructive tornadoes.”
In addition to the cash donations to The Salvation Army and the Red Cross, Wal-Mart stores and Sam’s Clubs in the affected areas have committed to provide $100,000 in product donations. So far, the company has delivered pallets of water, food and other supplies to help sustain those affected by the storm, as well as the emergency relief workers who are providing help to the victims. Wal-Mart, too, was impacted by the powerful line of tornadoes and thunderstorms, as both company facilities and many of its associates’ homes suffered some damage.
Wal-Mart has long been recognized as a corporate leader in the area of disaster relief. The company in 2005 helped the victims of Hurricane Katrina by donating more than $32 million in cash to aid emergency relief efforts, which included $2 million in contributions to the Red Cross. Last year, Wal-Mart provided more than $2 million in disaster relief funds to assist with everything from floods and tornadoes to wildfires and winter storms nationwide. Long-standing partnerships with the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army have made many of these efforts possible.
“Given the devastation caused by this last week’s storms and the impact on our own Wal-Mart communities and associates, we felt that it was important to step up and help with relief efforts,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets, and Sam’s Club locations across America. The company and its Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more than $270 million to local United States communities. To learn more, visit
www.walmartfacts.com,
www.walmart.com, or
www.walmartfoundation.org.