Walmart has provided a $10.8 million philanthropic investment in Matthew 25: Ministries (M25M) to expand a national disaster response fleet in collaboration with Procter & Gamble. The expansion aims to position relief vehicles within an eight‑hour drive of 90 percent of the mainland U.S.
The funding will add seven laundry trailers and multi‑service shower units from P&G and Walmart, along with tow vehicles and generators. The vehicles will be staged across eight regional hubs, including seven recently established locations.
By June 2027, the expanded fleet will support 48 activations annually, providing thousands of laundry loads, hot showers and P&G products such as Crest toothpaste, Bounty paper towels and Pampers diapers.
“When disaster strikes, those first few days can be incredibly overwhelming for families and communities trying to recover,” said Julie Gehrki, SVP of philanthropy at Walmart.
“This is about reaching people quickly with the items and services that help build hope and let them know they are not alone. Together with Matthew 25 and P&G, we are making sure that families in hard‑to‑reach communities aren’t left behind, giving them access to essential services and comforting care within the critical first 24 to 36 hours after a disaster.”
The grant deepens the long‑standing collaboration among Walmart, M25M and P&G, with Walmart providing primary philanthropic funding and P&G contributing co‑funding and product donations. Earlier this week, Walmart associates joined P&G and M25M to pack disaster relief care kits filled with P&G products for future deployments.
“With nearly 30 years of experience on the front lines of disaster relief, we know that basic necessities like clean clothes and a hot shower are vital for emotional resilience,” said Tim Mettey, CEO of Matthew 25: Ministries.
“This continued commitment from Walmart, supported by P&G, is a game‑changer. It gives us the regional infrastructure needed to bridge the gap between immediate crisis and long‑term recovery for those who are often the hardest to reach.”
Previous Walmart‑funded assets completed 11 deployments and traveled more than 50,000 miles to disaster zones, providing hundreds of showers and thousands of laundry loads.
“P&G is proud to work with Walmart and Matthew 25: Ministries to provide comfort and care when it’s needed most,” said Claude Zukowski, senior director of community impact at Procter & Gamble.
“After a disaster, something as simple as clean clothes or a hot shower can make all the difference in helping families feel like themselves again. Through this expansion, the P&G Disaster Relief Program will be able to bring those essential comforts of home to more communities in their hardest moments, helping them rebuild with hope and resilience.”
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