Hy-Vee, which operates a sizable disaster relief fleet, sent seven semi-trucks to affected areas in Nebraska and Iowa. (Image Credit: Hy-Vee Facebook)
After a tornado outbreak flattened homes and, in some cases, communities, in the Plains states and parts of the Midwest, grocers went into assistance mode.
Hy-Vee Inc., headquartered in West Des Moines, Iowa, east of the tornadoes’ path, readied its disaster relief fleet and was on the ground within hours of the twisters in Nebraska and Iowa. The grocer sent seven semis to the region, filled with bottled water and snacks, and also used its specially-equipped trailers to serve hot meals to those displaced by the storm and to responders. Additionally, Hy-Vee activated a donation campaign in local stores to support people in the affected communities.
[RELATED: How Hy-Vee Rolls Out in the Face of Disaster]
Meanwhile, Michigan-based SpartanNash rallied its crews to stock and send out four and a half truckloads of supplies, including bottled water, snacks and cleaning products, to those affected by the storms. SpartanNash operates a distribution center in Omaha, where tornadoes left a trail of destruction. One suburb, Elkhorn, was particularly hard hit.
The food solutions company partnered with The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army and Convoy of Hope to deliver the goods to sites including temporary shelters. “SpartanNash's donations enabled Convoy to provide essential relief supplies to survivors of the storms,” said Ethan Forhetz, VP of public engagement at Convoy of Hope. “We know we can count on SpartanNash when disasters hit."