"Over the next few days, Wal-Mart's response to Katrina -- an unrivaled $20 million in cash donations, 1,500 truckloads of free merchandise, food for 100,000 meals and the promise of a job for every one of its displaced workers -- has turned the chain into an unexpected lifeline for much of the Southeast and earned it near-universal praise at a time when the company is struggling to burnish its image."
Wal-Mart at Forefront of Hurricane Relief
"What we're doing to help
Some examples of the disaster relief efforts we've been involved in so far include:
Working with the American Red Cross to help support disaster shelter operations by donating essential items (water, food, snack items, personal care products, diapers, blankets) to serve those displaced by Hurricane Sandy.
Pledging up to $1.5 million to our disaster relief partners (American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Feeding America) to help with relief efforts in the hardest hit areas to ensure the essential needs of residents are being met.
Facilitating numerous requests from several government officials in the impacted areas, such as Mayor Booker in Newark, Governor Christie of NJ and Mayor Bloomberg in NYC. Those requests have ranged from transporting generators to schools and hospitals in the city of New York last night to delivering about a million bottles of water throughout the northeast.
By teaming up with a number of our suppliers, we are working to lend an extra hand to the areas that need our support. Some examples of what we're doing include:
JOHNSONVILLE: On Nov. 9-11, we're hosting the World's Largest Grill in select New York store parking lots to serve hot meals for those affected by or responding to the devastation and mass power outages of Hurricane Sandy. Our supplier Johnsonville is bringing the brats and the grill, the stores and clubs are providing the buns and drinks and our associates are volunteering to help feed the community.
Additionally, Sam's Clubs in the Northeast are also offering cell phone recharging stations and temporarily waiving membership fees to those areas affected by the storm."
Walmart Corporate - Hurricane Sandy Disaster Response