There are a lot of charities and even government initiatives to help people who are left in the wake of natural disasters, but communities often need more help. When people come together to overcome a disaster, beautiful things can happen.
Some of the most powerful community members when it comes to natural disasters are the companies that donate to or directly help with disaster relief efforts.
Companies and company dollars can go a long way to helping communities recover and get back on their feet. Here are some of the companies that are helping communities get back on their feet after natural disasters, and a little bit about how they are helping make a difference.
Melaleuca
Melaleuca is a wellness company that creates household products ranging from supplements and healthy snacks to skincare and makeup lines, to eco-friendly home cleaners and laundry detergents. They’re also one of the companies that not only donate to charities designed to help people impacted by natural disasters but also actively deliver goods and supplies to disaster areas. Melaleuca Executive Chairman Frank VanderSloot is known for his big heart and steps in to help whenever he can.
Melaleuca’s disaster relief efforts include deliveries of Melaleuca wellness products, food, bottled water, and more. When disaster strikes, Melaleuca mobilizes to get supplies and resources to the affected area as soon as possible.
Delivered supplies can also include electric generators for families in need and chainsaws to support First Responders. In the wake of Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Ian, not only did Melaleuca send supplies, but they also provided dozens of generators each time to help people manage the long-term effects of the disaster, in addition to food and water to address their short-term needs.
Lowes
Lowes stores carry a lot of the critical supplies needed after natural disasters, which puts them in a uniquely good position to respond to natural disasters across the country.
Not only does Lowes donate to charitable disaster relief causes, but they also directly intervene when disaster strikes. Lowes opens their stores as soon as possible so people can access the supplies and resources they need to recover.
They also donate recovery and natural disaster survival supplies to areas that have been affected by the disaster. Those supplies help people get back on their feet faster, and Lowes also partners with other companies and charities to help make sure the immediate needs of an area are taken care of.
Sprint
Sprint is one of the companies that have the most power and control over communication and information available in the wake of natural disasters.
In addition to donations to disaster relief efforts, Sprint helps directly in the wake of a disaster by making services more widely available, eliminating data and overage charges, and sometimes even deploying mobile cell towers to improve coverage in areas where the existing infrastructure was damaged by the disaster.
Being able to stay in contact with your family and friends, let people know what’s going on in your area, and just raise awareness of the disaster can be a huge help. It’s also critical to be able to ask for help when you need it, access emergency services, and coordinate efforts to get the resources you need or to make insurance claims on the damage.
By making its services more widely available, Sprint makes a huge difference in the aftermath of a disaster.
Walmart
Walmart might have one of the biggest business empires in the world, but they’re also one of the most generous companies when it comes to donating money to disaster relief efforts.
Walmart doesn’t limit its charitable giving to the local area, either. They provide widespread relief funds for people facing natural disasters and environmental challenges all over the world.
Between company donations and customer donations at Walmart and Sam’s Club locations, Walmart has pledged more than 3 million dollars to the Red Cross for relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
