EDITOR'S NOTE: Shelter From the Storm
Is there anywhere more comforting, more sacred, than a grocery store when a natural disaster strikes?
That’s top of mind for me as I write this column from an Orlando, Fla., hotel room, to which I have evacuated as a result of Hurricane Milton.
For days, those of us who live in Hurricane Alley have been heeding the warnings and following orders from local and state officials to prepare for a monster storm. But it’s food retailers especially who are a lifeline for communities like mine, coping with disaster, both before and after the storm.
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I’m reminded of the time when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and grocers were hailed as heroes and essential workers. Soon after that, retailers became scapegoats for rising food prices due to inflation. But when emergencies occur, it’s grocery retailers and their employees who are the saviors still at work, putting their lives on the line to feed and nourish communities. Across the Southeast, during Hurricanes Helene and Milton, grocery stores and their front-line associates have provided much-needed comfort and relief from events that are absolutely catastrophic for communities — both emotionally and financially.
Food Retailers Step Up
After Hurricane Helene ravaged Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and other states, Matthews, N.C.-based Harris Teeter launched a register campaign supporting the American Red Cross and its disaster relief efforts. Publix Super Markets Charities donated $1 million to support relief efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Helene. Additionally, Lakeland, Fla.-based Publix launched a donation campaign to allow customers and associates to help people affected by the storm.
[RELATED: Grocers Kick Into Disaster Relief Mode After Hurricane Helene]
“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 over 255,000 associates who continue to take care of our customers and communities in times of need.”
Meanwhile, Bentonville, Ark.-based Walmart came in with a $10 million donation to support time-sensitive relief efforts across affected communities in Georgia, Florida, North and South Carolina, and Tennessee.
“These aren’t just places where we have stores. These are communities where we work and live, and our hearts are broken for our friends and neighbors,” said John Furner, president and CEO, Walmart U.S. “This is one of the most widespread and destructive storms I’ve seen in my 31 years with Walmart. But I’ve also seen over 31 years that Walmart associates always step up when needed. It’s who we are and who we will continue to be. We’ll support people and communities until they’ve recovered.”
As we sit and wait for the devastation to be officially calculated from Hurricane Milton, our grocery retailers will be there helping communities in more ways than can be imagined: They’re always there to provide shelter from the storm.
