Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have invested more than $1 million in grants, product donations and e-gift cards to support communities across the Southeast following winter storms that caused damage and power outages across the region, the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer announced Feb. 11.
The combined investment has provided support to more than 30 city governments and local organizations through $500,000 in grant funding, essential product and gift card support, and targeted regional investments.
Grant distribution
The Walmart Foundation awarded $500,000 to the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army to support emergency shelter, warm meals and critical resources. The foundation also made three regional investments to the Ouachita Council on Aging in Louisiana, The Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi and the United Way of Greater Nashville to ensure assistance reaches the areas hit hardest by the storms.
E-gift cards and delivery of 20 truckloads of water, food and emergency supplies helped local warming centers and shelters remain stocked during the crisis.
On-ground relief
Beyond financial and product support, Walmart collaborated with Matthew 25: Ministries, Procter & Gamble, Operation Barbecue and Tyson to provide on-the-ground relief during the height of the crisis. Activations in Mississippi and Nashville provided more than 32,000 meals, 200 showers and 2,400 loads of laundry for residents facing power outages and displaced housing. More than 5,200 people used wifi and charging resources.
“At the heart of every disaster are people looking for warmth and hope,” said Julie Gehrki, president of the Walmart Foundation.
“We are humbled to support the Southeast’s recovery and remain inspired by the resilience of the neighbors and partners working together to rebuild their hometowns. We know how crucial it is to receive support quickly in a crisis. By partnering with trusted nonprofits, we ensured that essential resources stayed directly in the community to fuel both immediate relief and long-term recovery.”
Company response model
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have a history of supporting communities following natural disasters. The company leverages its stores, logistics network and associates to serve as a partner to affected communities, working to ensure neighbors have resources necessary to recover and rebuild.
Walmart operates more than 10,750 stores and e-commerce websites in 19 countries. About 270 million customers and members visit Walmart locations each week. The company employs about 2.1 million associates worldwide and reported fiscal year 2025 revenue of $681 billion.
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