The cornerstone of H-E-B’s Helping Here and Spirit of Giving philosophies is providing aid in times of need, according to the retailer. To show its solidarity with the people of the Ukraine, it will work with nonprofit organizations providing critical aid to the Ukrainian people.
Through monetary support and fundraising, the company and H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt have committed $1 million to assist its nonprofit partners.
Since the armed conflict erupted in the eastern European country, customers from across Texas have asked H-E-B for ways they can help. H‑E‑B and Central Market stores across Texas have launched an in-store donation campaign to raise funds to support Save the Children, an organization working to meet the urgent needs of affected children and their families in Ukraine and across the region.
At checkout, customers can support Save the Children by making monetary donations at the register for $1, $3, and $5.
Along with funds from the donation campaign, H-E-B has dedicated an additional $100,000 to Save the Children. H-E-B’s gift along with support from the donation campaign will go toward the organization’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, which helps provide children and families with immediate aid such as food, water, hygiene kits, baby items, winter coats, and cash assistance, as well as assisting refugees in asylum centers that provide educational, informational, and psychosocial assistance, as well as offer care to unaccompanied and separated children.
H-E-B also committed $100,000 to UNICEF, which is operating in Ukraine to support Ukrainian children and families. As part of their outreach, UNICEF has protection mobile teams reaching children with medical supplies, mental health support, and protection services; is providing life-saving medical items for children and mothers at hospitals in the most affected regions; and has activated one-stop safe spaces along major routes in six neighboring countries that help mothers and children fleeing the violence and provide protection to unaccompanied and separated children.
Another $100,000 will support the Global FoodBanking Network’s Emergency Response Fund, an organization working with the European Food Banks Federation and its network of 300 food banks in 29 countries to deliver food to people inside Ukraine and in neighboring countries to support Ukrainian refugees.
Locally, H-E-B gifted $50,000 to Ukrainian San Antonio, a nonprofit working to gather supplies and funds for Razom for Ukraine, an organization providing urgent humanitarian aid in war torn parts of Ukraine.
“Our hearts go out to the Ukrainian people as they fight to protect their homes and flee the violence that has come to their country,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B group vice president of public affairs, diversity, and environmental affairs, in a statement. “Many Texans and H-E-B Partners have connections to Ukraine, and we want to do our part to show our support. We hope H‑E‑B’s donations, along with giving from our loyal customers, will help these dedicated organizations provide important aid to children and families affected by this conflict. We pray for an end to the fighting and that peace comes soon to the people of Ukraine.”
Related: Publix Launches Donation Program to Support Ukraine; Economists Expect Inflation to Continue.