SOURCE The Home Depot Foundation
ATLANTA, August 28, 2020 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Home Depot Foundation today announced that it will increase its disaster response commitment by 2020 to $4 million, to further support community aid and long-term reconstruction efforts in hurricane-affected states Laura. These funds add another $500,000 to those already used by its nonprofit partners and their previous in-kind donations in response to this and other storms that have occurred this year.
In partnership with its national non-profit partners, including Convoy of Hope, Operation Blessing, American Red Cross, Team Rubicon, All Hands and Hearts and ToolBank Disaster Services, The Home Depot Foundation and The Home Depot® have activated warehouses across the country and mobilized response teams to provide critical supplies to affected areas.
As part of hurricane assistance efforts, the foundation is distributing aid kits assembled by volunteer employees in Hurricane Laura-affected areas and is supplying meals to local residents through its nonprofit partner, World Central Kitchen.
The company activated its disaster response command center Wednesday to support stores, employees and communities in the path of Hurricane Laura, which is operating virtually to prioritize safety and social estating. More than 250 employees of the company’s marketing, operations, supply chain and other equipment teams have been working 24 hours a day to move trucks loaded with supplies to stores across the region, and will continue to do so as long as necessary. “We are extremely grateful that all of our stores have been able to reopen quickly to continue to meet the needs of their communities,” said Hector Padilla, president of the southern division of The Home Depot. “We appreciate the work of our employees and our nonprofit partners to bring help to those who have been affected by this storm and other natural disasters throughout the United States this year.”
In California, where devastating wildfires have spread across the state, The Home Depot stores have also donated thousands of items for local relief, including canvases, water, sanitation materials, forklifts and more. Funds committed by The Home Depot Foundation will also go to nonprofits in these areas to assist in community recovery.
The Homer Fund, The Home Depot’s employee assistance program, is also actively processing subsidies for employees affected by hurricanes and wildfires.
These efforts are part of The Home Depot’s commitment to the long-term reconstruction of communities affected by natural disasters. The foundation supported relief efforts after tornadoes that hit southeastern the country last spring and earlier this month, and the company distributed hundreds of relief teams to support communities affected by Hurricane Hanna and distributed supplies along the East Coast to help communities affected by Hurricane Isaiah.
About The Home Depot Foundation
The Home Depot Foundation works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, train skilled workers to fill the work vacuum, and support communities affected by natural disasters.
To learn more about the Home Depot Foundation, visit the HomeDepotFoundation.org and follow us on Twitter @HomeDepotFound and facebook + Instagram @HomeDepotFoundation.di