Marketplaces Industry’s Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts

The marketplaces industry is stepping up to help communities dealing with loss caused by Hurricane Ian. The storm made landfall in Florida on Wednesday afternoon. The National Hurricane Center warned residents of a “life-threatening storm surge, catastrophic winds and flooding in the Florida peninsula” and ordered millions to evacuate their homes.

Many ICSC members have been affected by the storm. “We have heard from many of our members whose properties, homes and families have been impacted by the storm and suffered catastrophic loss,” said ICSC president and CEO Tom McGee. “It will be a challenging road ahead as communities rebuild and businesses begin to restore their operations. We know our members will come together to support each other and the various relief efforts needed over the next several months, and ICSC is committed to supporting our community in the aftermath of this unprecedented natural disaster.”

Raising funds for charitable organizations is one way retailers are making a difference. Another is by redirecting goods needed in emergency situations to where they can be used. Amazon, for one, activated its Disaster Relief Hub in Atlanta, pre-positioned supplies across Florida and closed dozens of Amazon sites to keep employees safe amid the storm.

Publix Super Markets Charities, the charitable arm of the Florida-based supermarket chain, is donating $1 million to nonprofits like the American Red Cross and United Way for relief efforts. Publix also activated a companywide donation campaign, allowing customers and employees to help those affected by the hurricane. Donations may be made in any amount at any Publix store checkout. And 100% of donated funds will go to the American Red Cross. The end date for the campaign will be determined based on customer response.

Meanwhile, the Tractor Supply Company Foundation will donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross to assist residents in the path of Hurricane Ian and the recent wildfires in the West and the Appalachian region of Kentucky impacted by historic flooding. Additionally, Tractor Supply Co. is supplying gift cards to stores in the path of Hurricane Ian to distribute to local organizations and shelters. Recipients can use the cards for supplies like pet and animal products, tools, tarps, gloves, generators and more.

Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation are committing as much as $6 million to recovery and relief efforts. This will include donations of essential supplies and grants to organizations providing relief on the ground. The retailer also is matching employee contributions up to $2.5 million when employees donate at the company’s cash registers or through its associate giving program.

And U-Haul is offering 30 days of free storage and U-Box portable container use at 43 Florida locations.