June 30, 2024
Bentonville, AR (Highpoint Digest) − Building on Walmart’s long history supporting communities when natural disasters hit, today the company is sharing the next steps in its efforts to draw on its strengths as a retailer with roots in thousands of communities to help them better prepare and quickly respond when disasters strike.
As natural disasters increase in frequency and a potentially historic hurricane season begins, Walmart is unveiling investments in new disaster response mobile units run by nonprofit organizations with expertise in disaster response. The new mobile units can bring communities access to the resources and services people often need most when natural disasters result in power outages and home damage, such as charging and Wi-Fi access, hot meals, clean laundry and showers.
As Walmart and Sam’s Club often serve as an early destination for people to access the products and services they need during these challenging times, these mobile units deploy in store or club parking lots, as well as other community locations convenient to people impacted. The new mobile units include:
- Information Technology Disaster Resource Center: Mobile Charging Station and Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Operation BBQ Relief: Mobile Kitchen
- Matthew 25: Ministries: Walmart.org and P&G Mobile Shower Trailer
- Matthew 25: Ministries: Walmart.org and P&G Tide Loads of Hope Mobile Laundry Unit
The new disaster response mobile units are in addition to Walmart’s Mobile Relief Kitchen operated by Walmart drivers. The mobile units have already started deploying in communities across the U.S., helping thousands of people impacted by severe storms, tornadoes and wildfires this year as part of the company’s comprehensive approach to preparing for and responding to natural disasters.
Before, during and after disasters, Walmart’s emergency management team and associates across the company coordinate to support impacted associates, get stores and clubs back open as quickly and safely as possible, deliver much-needed merchandise and collaborate with local governments and response organizations to determine the needs in the community. It’s in the company’s DNA to help communities better prepare for and respond to disasters in the communities where we operate around the world. Since FY2022, Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation have contributed more than $55 million for disaster preparedness and response globally.
