After the recent rampage of Hurricane Ian across Florida, several grocers including Hy-Vee, Walmart, Target, and Publix demonstrated their support in providing disaster relief. Help ranged from food delivery to supply transportation.
Hy-Vee reported dispatching a disaster relief fleet Friday to locations in Florida particularly impacted by the hurricane, bringing supplies and food to assist with providing up to one million meals. Included in the fleet were a mobile water system, rapid response pickup trucks, and semis filled with water, ice, snacks, cleaning supplies, and protein.
The 23 employees of the company will continue to participate in the 12-day relief effort, working with local responders, food banks, and nonprofits.
Walmart similarly activated a rapid response protocol, providing food, water, and health and wellness services where possible. These services are all available at nearby Walmart facilities in Tampa, Orlando, and several other locations in the area.
The company has committed $6 million to support the efforts, including donations of essential supplies and on-the-ground support. Additionally, all donations through the company’s associate giving program from Walmart customers will be matched.
Publix Super Markets Charities, the philanthropic arm of Publix, also recently announced that it had donated $1 million to the American Red Cross and United Way among other nonprofits to facilitate in disaster relief.
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