Published On: September 6, 2016665 words3.8 min readCategories: ArticleTags: ,

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In response to the historic flooding in Louisiana, NACDS member companies—demonstrating the vital role they play in the communities they serve—immediately stepped in to provide assistance for those in need, in collaboration with public health partners and emergency preparedness authorities.

NACDS member companies—demonstrating the vital role they play in the communities they serve—immediately stepped in to provide assistance for those in need…

As of print time, these are the relief efforts NACDS members have been involved in. If your company also participated in these efforts, or has updated information, please send an email to NACDS’ Lisa Boylan so we can report on it in upcoming editions of CEO Issue Update, as this is a long-term relief initiative and we want to accurately reflect member efforts.

To date, these are the member actions NACDS has observed in media reports:

  • Albertsons accepted donations for the American Red Cross Louisiana Flood Relief in southern Louisiana stores and the Albertsons Company Foundation has pledged to match donations dollar for dollar up to $300,000. Albertsons also allowed the City of Denham Springs to operate in their parking lot and store for a period of time and provided temporary shelter to evacuees. Albertsons operates 19 stores in the region.
  • CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation announced a $100,000 donation in cash and in-kind support to organizations providing relief efforts to flood victims in central Louisiana, including the Salvation Army USA Southern Territory and the American Red Cross. CVS operates 131 stores in the area.
  • The Rite Aid Foundation recently donated an additional $50,000 to the American Red Cross Louisiana Capital Area for flood victims in Louisiana, adding to the foundation’s August 15 donation of $50,000. Rite Aid operates 61 stores in Louisiana, including 11 in the greater Baton Rouge area.
  • Southeastern Grocers LLC matched customer contributions to its Winn-Dixie, BI-LO and Harveys stores for the flood relief efforts dollar for dollar through the Southeastern Grocers Foundation. Southeastern Grocers LLC operates 43 stores in the region.
  • Target is donating $400,000 to assist Baton Rouge and the surrounding communities affected. The donation includes $100,000 to both the Salvation Army and American Red Cross to aid shelter and relief efforts. Additionally, the retailer will donate $30,000 to aid recovery efforts for impacted local schools. Target donated more than $100,000 of food to local food banks, and is partnering with local nonprofits throughout the area to distribute $20,000 in Target gift cards for necessary supplies for recovery efforts currently underway. Target said it will also initiate a team member matching program, where the company will donate up to an additional $50,000 to the American Red Cross. In addition to the monetary donations, Target team members are volunteering their time to contribute to the relief efforts. Target has six stores in the affected area.
  • Walgreens donated an initial $60,000 in cash and in-kind donations.  A semi-truck full of bottled water and hygiene items was donated to a shelter in Opelousas, La., as well as a semi-trailer of snacks, hygiene items and first-aid supplies to a Red Cross site in Baton Rouge. From August 21 through September 3, Walgreens will also have a check-out option for customers to donate to the Red Cross. Walgreens has been working with the local Red Cross to support, when needed, the estimated 7,000 people in shelters with their maintenance medications and Tetanus vaccines. Walgreens has pharmacists and technicians on standby from neighboring states, awaiting notification from the Red Cross if they need assistance.
  • Walmart and the Walmart Foundation recently announced an additional donation of $1 million dollars to organizations helping with relief efforts for those affected by the floods in Louisiana. This adds to the initial $500,000 donation from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. Walmart operates 133 stores in the region.

NACDS continues to collaborate with the Louisiana Department of Health and Healthcare Ready, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the healthcare supply chain, to provide ongoing assistance and coordination of response efforts. NACDS is also working with disaster relief organizations to support the recovery efforts in Louisiana and to connect individuals to local and regional pharmacy operations leaders.