MOORESVILLE, N.C., Nov. 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the deadly outbreak of tornadoes across the Midwest, Lowe's announced today it will expand its relief efforts by donating $250,000 to American Red Cross disaster relief. Lowe's is working with its national nonprofit partners to provide both immediate and long-term support to local communities in eight states.
The donation to the Red Cross will help provide food, shelter and comfort to those impacted by Sunday's unusually powerful late-season storms. Lowe's stores across the region and Lowe's national disaster relief partner, the First Response Team of America, have been assisting with relief efforts since the tornadoes touched down. Lowe's has shipped truckloads of emergency supplies to the affected area, and employees have fanned out into local neighborhoods to deliver critically needed supplies and support.
"Our thoughts are with the thousands of residents, including many Lowe's employees, who've been affected by the devastating storms," said Robert A. Niblock, Lowe's chairman, president and CEO. "With the holidays approaching, it's going to be an especially difficult time for many of these families. We'll continue to work internally and through great partners like the Red Cross to be there to help them recover and rebuild."
Red Cross volunteers are working around the clock to help. By Monday night, 25 Red Cross shelters were open and assisting residents in the hardest-hit states of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Red Cross emergency vehicles are handing out meals, snacks and relief supplies in affected communities. Emergency aid stations also are open in areas where people can get food, health care services and information about other available assistance.
"The Red Cross is on the ground providing critical support to those affected by the Midwest tornadoes," said Neal Litvack, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. "Thanks to the help of donors, such as Lowe's, we're able to respond to the needs of disaster survivors in a moment's notice."
As a member of the Red Cross' Annual Disaster Giving Program, Lowe's pledges donations on an ongoing basis in advance of disasters to help ensure the Red Cross can take immediate action. Individuals can team with Lowe's and the American Red Cross to provide assistance by donating at Lowe's American Red Cross Online Donation Site, by texting REDCROSS to 90999 or calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Since partnering with the Red Cross in 1999, Lowe's and its customers have contributed more than $25 million for disaster relief.
Donations to Red Cross disaster relief are used to help people affected by disasters big and small. Gifts enable the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters.
ABOUT LOWE'S:
Lowe's supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. The company's signature education grant program, Lowe's Toolbox for Education®, has donated more than $36 million to 8,000 K-12 public schools, benefiting more than 4 million schoolchildren. Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers support local community projects and our national nonprofit partners such as Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together and the American Red Cross. In 2012, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together contributed more than $30 million to support communities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility and LowesInTheCommunity.tumblr.com
ABOUT AMERICAN RED CROSS:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Related Link
Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility
Image with caption: "Lowe's pledges donations in advance of disasters and also provides volunteer support to help the American Red Cross respond immediately in local communities. Since partnering with the Red Cross in 1999, Lowe's and its customers have contributed more than $25 million for disaster relief." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131119/MM20365-a
Image with caption: "Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers helped homeowners after tornadoes earlier this year in Moore, Okla. (above), and have been assisting with relief efforts across the Midwest since a series of tornadoes touched down Sunday." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131119/MM20365-b
Image with caption: "Red Cross volunteers are working around the clock to provide food, shelter, relief supplies and other assistance to those in need across the region. Lowe's donated $250,000 to the Red Cross to help with recovery efforts." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131119/MM20365-c
SOURCE Lowe's
