Last updated on December 12th, 2024
Hurricane Helene battered the southeastern United States from Sept. 26-27, leaving devastation and flooding in its wake. Additionally, following the first hurricane, Hurricane Milton devastated Florida again a week later. The grocery industry has responded by providing food and water, as well as monetary donations to impacted communities.
Alex Lee
Alex Lee, the parent company of Lowes Foods, Kj’s Market, MDI, W. Lee Flowers, Souto Foods and Import Mex, is donating $500,000 to agencies actively responding. These agencies include Feeding America affiliates serving the impacted areas in the Carolinas and Georgia and the Red Cross.
“As a company based in the Carolinas, we see the need firsthand,” said Brian George, president and CEO of Alex Lee.
“We have worked with our vendors and partner agencies to get urgent supplies to the affected areas, but we know that a monetary donation is the most efficient way for these agencies to have the biggest impact. We also know our guests want to make a difference, so we are accepting donations for the Red Cross at our registers. These organizations are equipped with the experience and infrastructure to most effectively help those in need.”
Dollar General
Dollar General announced an additional $1 million donation to the American Red Cross to support response and recovery efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
This donation complements the company’s recent partnership extension with the American Red Cross, and brings Dollar General and its foundations’ contributions through various partnerships and initiatives to disaster relief support to more than $2 million in 2024.
[RELATED: Dollar General Donates $1M To Feeding America, Extends Partnership]
FMI – The Food Industry Association
FMI has created a hub page for those in and out of the grocery industry to provide operational and informational resources to help in disaster planning, response and recovery efforts for emergencies such as Hurricane Helene. Several of the consumer-facing resources include information about food safety and other emergency responses.
Click here to learn more.
Food City
Food City is partnering with several local organizations to host a fundraising campaign to benefit flood relief efforts.
Food City and the Eastman Foundation have each pledged a $100,000 contribution for a total of $200,000 to kick off the fundraising drive.
“The lives of many of our friends and neighbors have been devastated by this tragic flooding and we want to do everything possible to ensure area flood victims receive much-needed resources during this critical time,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and CEO.
The campaign will run through Oct. 12 in all Food City locations. Customers wishing to participate can make a monetary donation at the checkout. One hundred percent of the funds collected will benefit the United Ways of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia disaster relief funds.
“We greatly appreciate the tremendous support shown by our loyal customers, associates and business partners during past times of crisis. Food City and the Eastman Foundation are making matching contributions totaling $200,000 to kick off the fundraising efforts and we would like to once again call upon your generosity and invite you to join us in providing aid to those in desperate need,” Smith shared.
“We would also like to express our deepest appreciation to the Eastman Foundation, the United Ways of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, WCYB-TV, News Channel 11, ABC Tri-Cities, Fox Tri-Cities and the Bristol Broadcasting Co. Family of stations for their partnership on this critical initiative.”
Food Lion
Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion is donating $1.5 million to support the communities impacted by the hurricane. Through Oct. 30, customers can join this effort by making donations when the check out at the register. The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation will distribute the funds to partner feeding organizations to address recovery and rebuilding efforts.
As part of the contribution, funds have been directed to support an initial emergency donation to American Red Cross, helping provide food, emergency shelter, relief supplies and comfort, as well as to World Central Kitchen in its efforts to provide meals.
To help address the most critical needs, Food Lion is collaborating with local disaster relief and response teams, hospitals, government agencies and community feeding partners to provide nonperishable snacks, water, gift cards and other supplies to shelters and emergency support service areas.
“Caring for our neighbors and the towns and cities we serve is an integral part of our Food Lion culture,” said Meg Ham, president of Food Lion.
“Our hearts go out to those devastated by Hurricane Helene, and we want our neighbors and communities to know they can count on Food Lion, especially those who need us most during this time. By joining forces with our customers, we are reminded of the strength and resiliency of our communities to come together to support those impacted by the effects of the storm.”
Harris Teeter
Harris Teeter mobilized its teams to provide critical on-the-ground support, monetary donations and essential supplies to Western North Carolina communities and the MANNA FoodBank.
Harris Teeter’s donation of $250,000 will go to the MANNA FoodBank, along with two truckloads of drinking water and two truckloads of emergency food boxes with ready-to-eat items. The food boxes will provide nearly 40,000 meals.
Since Sept. 28, Harris Teeter has transported more than a dozen truckloads of ice and water, totaling more than 550,000 pounds to the Asheville, Boone, Greenville and Greer communities. Harris Teeter also made product donations to several area hospitals.
Additionally, through Oct. 28, the grocer is holding an in-store round up donation campaign where 100 percent of funds will go to support the American Red Cross.
Hy-Vee
Hy-Vee, in partnership with Operation BBQ Relief, has deployed its disaster response units to the Southeast. Operation BBQ Relief has been handing out thousands of meals across Florida and Georgia and has expanded its efforts to North and South Carolina and Tennessee.
[RELATED: Hy-Vee Continues To Grow Business Units Across Operating Area]
Additionally, Hy-Vee has partnered with the American Red Cross to hold a register campaign through Oct. 25 for both of the recent hurricanes to impact the Southeast region. Those who wish to give directly can donate here.
IGA
Independent Grocers Alliance CEO John Ross shared a letter, sharing updates about the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene and how IGA retailers are dealing with the impacts against their businesses.
“The IGA family-owned grocery stores in the storm’s path are dealing with…the challenge of keeping their stores operating with damaged roads, inconsistent access to power and damaged infrastructure. As a store owner, you may be going into work because your community needs you to be open, even if your own home was flooded or damaged. As a grocery worker, you make be working a register rather than clearing away debris because you know that, without you, thousands of people would have nothing to eat or drink.
“Your suppliers are in it as well for the duration. A damaged warehouse or destroyed interstate (parts of I-40 and I-26 won’t be repaired until March of next year!) isn’t an excuse when families need fresh food and water the most. We still have dozens of stores without electricity, some without water, yet we are often the only safe food and bottled water supplier in the community.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our store owners, wholesalers, and suppliers who do what we always do: step up, lean in, and serve. Where it is safe to open, our team members are working and trucks are on their way as fast as we can safely get them to where they need to be.
“And one small point: the price point for bottled water, food, supplies is the same at IGA today as it was before the storm. As CEO, I don’t have to worry about price gouging – the family owned businesses I am privileged to represent wouldn’t dream of taking advantage of their communities’ misery when they need us most. And from manufacturers, wholesalers and the retailers themselves, millions of dollars of free products are moving into the communities that were hardest hit.”
Ross also shared an NGA toolkit on emergency preparedness, which includes the FEMA needs assessment, resources for coping with disaster and food safety tips for when there is no power.
Ingles Markets
Ingles Markets shared a post on Facebook Oct. 2, sharing that its “hometown” of Black Mountain, North Carolina, which houses one of its distribution centers, was impacted by Hurricane Helene.
“We had loss of power, critical infrastructure, transport vehicles, inventory and yes even loss of life. We were all severely impacted. Ingles has stores in our region with significant damage and some stores still without power and water. We are working diligently to bring operations back online and begin helping our community.”
“At this time when we are reliant, we are grateful to our vendors, media partners and charity organizations we have coming to help us. Amid everything we are very proud of our associates. As they feed first responders, distributing goods to emergency management channels, assisting the Red Cross and coordinating ways to do whatever possible to give while dealing through tragic personal loss of their own. We are making progress to come back online, and we want to thank you for your patience.”
Additionally, Ingles has shared information for customers through Facebook to find resources, such as pet food, water and baby formula, in the impacted areas.
Oct. 29 Update: Ingles Markets Inc. has shared several improvements since Hurricane Helene impacted the operation of both the company’s stores and its distribution center.
“Of our 198 stores, 194 stores are currently open. Four of our stores sustained damage due to flooding and winds and are temporarily closed. We expect all four to reopen over the next three to nine months. Our distribution center is fully operational and has returned to normal operations,” the company shared in a press release.
“We have currently estimated that the financial impact of inventory and property loss will be between $35 and $55 million, for which we expect between $10 to $15 million of insurance reimbursement, and such impact will be included in our results of operations for our fiscal quarter and year ended September 28, 2024.”
Kroger
The Kroger Co. is providing relief through various campaigns, food and funds donated across the regions impacted by the hurricane.
“Our associates, customers, communities and neighbors are deeply affected in the Hurricane Helene aftermath, and we are joining forces with organizations across the country to step up and provide support,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO.
“Rescue crews and relief organizations on the ground are only now assessing the impact and beginning the long road to recovery. We hope Kroger’s support will feed the spirit of those who are affected and those helping the communities rebuild.”
Through the end of October, customers can help with disaster relief by rounding up their purchase to the nearest dollar or making a donation when checking out at Harris Teeter locations and all stores across Kroger’s Atlanta and Nashville divisions. These contributions, as well as a matching grant from the Kroger Co. Foundation, will benefit the American Red Cross.
Kroger also is distributing truckloads of drinkable water and ice. The retailer intends to increase relief efforts over the coming days and weeks as community needs continue to evolve.
Kroger is a supporter of the United Service Organizations (USO) and sponsor of the USO | Kroger Mobile Canteens, which are deployed to impacted areas to support the National Guard and military service members. The units provide food, drinks and a place to rest and recharge for those answering the call to serve. Kroger will also support the USO with gift cards.
Lowes Foods
Several Lowes Foods locations have been impacted by Hurricane Helene. On the grocer’s website, it shared that “we will keep the doors open and lights on as long as possible to support our neighbors.” Multiple locations in North and South Carolina have adjusted their hours or are accepting only cash.
Publix
Publix Super Markets Charities (PSMC) is donating $1 million for communities impacted by the hurricane.
In addition, the grocer is activating a donation campaign to allow customers and employees to help those affected. Donations can be made at checkout. The effort’s end date will be based on customer response.
The contributions from PSMC and the register campaign will support nonprofits, including the American Red Cross, United Way and the Florida Fund.
“We’re grateful to Publix Super Markets Charities for its donation to help the people and communities affected by Hurricane Helene,” said Publix CEO Kevin Murphy. “I’m proud of our more than 255,000 associates who continue to take care of our customers and communities in times of need.”
As of Oct. 9, Publix and its customers have already donated more than $1 million to support those affected by Hurricane Helene.
Southeastern Grocers
The grocer activated a mobile food pantry in Madeira Beach to distribute free shelf-stable foods, fresh produce, ice, bottled water and essential cleaning supplies to residents as the neighborhood Winn-Dixie store sustained damage.
Additionally, SEG partnered with iHeart Radio stations in Tampa Bay to encourage much-needed donations for area neighbors in the aftermath of Helene.
To aid those who experienced prolonged power loss during Hurricane Milton, the grocer is providing recovery essentials and $25,000 in gift cards to help families restock refrigerators and pantries. SEG is holding events this week in Sarasota and St. Petersburg to distribute free ice, bottled water, cleaning supplies and $50 Winn-Dixie gift cards to 500 families.
SEG is also distributing more than $100,000 to aid hundreds of employees through SEG Cares, the charitable program voluntarily funded by the grocer and its generous associates to assist team members in times of need. The grocer also has its No Associate Left Behind program, which mobilizes the grocer’s human resources and asset protection teams to contact and account for every employee in the path of a natural disaster
SpartanNash
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has donated four truckloads of water for those impacted in Georgia, North Carolina and Florida.
In partnership with Convoy of Hope, the grocer also will distribute more than 500,000 meals and 5,000 personal hygiene toiletry kits.
SpartanNash uses its large distribution network and food logistics expertise to provide aid when and where it is most needed. The company recently held its largest annual employee volunteer event, with hundreds of employees packing kits for Convoy of Hope.
Walmart
Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation are committing an initial $6 million in support of hurricane relief efforts, including donations of food, water, essential supplies and grants to organizations providing relief.
Walmart will also match donations to the American Red Cross one-to-one, up to $2.5 million, when customers support hurricane relief at the registers in stores and clubs and on Walmart.com through Oct. 13.
In addition, before and after the storm made landfall, Walmart teams worked with local leaders and organizations to assess needs, support associates and deliver donations of supplies to organizations supporting relief efforts. The company is helping nonprofits and suppliers bring resources – including free meals, WiFi hotspots, charging stations and laundry and shower services – to communities without access to power.
Oct. 7 Update: Walmart announced that it is increasing its commitment to $10 million to support time-sensitive relief efforts.
Specific to Eastern Tennessee, the Walmart Foundation is making a grant to the East Tennessee Foundation. Walmart and Sam’s Club have provided water donations to local organizations and resources such as food and hot meals, water distributions, showers and laundry in Walmart parking lots in Newport, Elizabethton and Greeneville.
As part of the $10 million commitment, Walmart and Sam’s Club launched a nationwide customer campaign, matching customer and member donations at checkout to the American Red Cross one-to-one, up to $2.5 million, through Oct. 13. The generosity from customers and members poured in quickly, and the $2.5 million match was met as of Oct. 3. Fundraising for the American Red Cross will continue at Walmart and Sam’s Club and on Walmart.com through Oct. 13.
Oct. 14 Update: Walmart has increased its commitment to $16 million to help support those impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The fundraising campaign has been extended through Oct. 20. Overall, more than $23 million has been committed and raised by customers and members in the past two weeks to support communities recovering from both hurricanes.
“This is the second time in two weeks that our country has felt the toll of a major hurricane impacting the communities Sam’s Club calls home,” said Chris Nicholas, president and CEO, Sam’s Club. “We are moving quickly to make sure our associates and members are safe, and we are extending our support today to make sure communities suffering from both hurricanes have what they need in the long run.”
Before Hurricane Milton made landfall, Walmart and Sam’s Club started working with local leaders and relief organizations to assess needs and help communities prepare. The company pre-positioned more than 300 refrigerated trucks and more than 500 truckloads of water and merchandise to locations in the storm’s path.
The company provided evacuation assistance to more than 5,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club employees before the storm. In addition, Walmart and Sam’s Club have provided associates with support pay for those scheduled to work while their stores or clubs are closed, as well as mental health resources.
The grocer has also been working with nonprofits to bring resources such as charging stations, food and hot meals, water distributions, shower and laundry to its parking lots in affected areas, as it is safe to do so.
