Published On: September 8, 2017622 words3.6 min readCategories: ArticleTags: ,

Share this story:

Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, made landfall in southern Florida, causing widespread damage.

Hurricane Irma, one of the strongest storms ever recorded in the Atlantic, made landfall in southern Florida on September 10. In anticipation of the storm, NACDS chain and associate member companies mobilized—in collaboration with public health partners and emergency preparedness authorities—to meet the ongoing needs of people affected in the storm’s path.

NACDS traditionally documents the engagement of member companies to provide ideas about how interested individuals and companies can lend assistance – particularly since long-term support will be necessary for the affected areas. To provide new or updated information, please email NACDS’ Lisa Boylan. This information will be updated regularly.

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

  • Albertsons Companies Foundation is giving $1 million to the Hand in Hand benefit for hurricane relief.
  • CVS Pharmacy, CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation announced $125,000 donation in cash and in-kind product donations to organizations helping with relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Irma. In addition, CVS Pharmacy and CVS Caremark activated a process that allows pharmacists to provide one-time emergency refills of a 10-day supply of medication for plan members in areas impacted in areas by Hurricane Irma. IN addition, CVS Health launched an in-store customer donation campaign on Septemeber 19 to support the rebuilding efforts underway in the impacted areas. As part of this initiative, the company pledged to match all customer donations with critical products and supplies, up to $10 million.
  • Genoa, a Qol Healthcare Company, has identified backup pharmacies located in safe areas and will answer calls and fill and deliver prescriptions for affected sites and consumers. Genoa is also designating pharmacy triage locations to field consumer calls and prescriptions for any impacted site and has activated Genoa’s call center to proactively reach out to consumers and coordinate needed refills.
  • H-E-B will send supply trucks with water, ice and cleaning supplies from its warehouse in Houston to Publix’ headquarters in Lakeland, Fla., about 35 miles east of Tampa. H-E-B is reciprocating after Publix shipped water, generators and cleaning supplies to H-E-B stores when Harvey hit Texas in August.
  • Publix is working with its suppliers to deliver essential items to potentially impacted stores. The company’s pharmacies are receiving medications more frequently to assist in filling prescriptions and its manufacturing facilities are working to produce essential items for consumers.
  • Southeastern Grocers’ Winn-Dixie stated that the company is doing everything they can to keep stores open in areas impacted by Hurricane Irma where it is safe and possible to do so.
  • Target Corporation announced that the company is committing up to $1 million in cash and in-kind donations to support communities impacted by Hurricane Irma.
  • Walgreens has committed to a $200,000 donation to American Red Cross Hurricane Irma relief efforts and also is donating supplies of water and food to relief efforts in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Walgreens customers also can donate at checkout to Red Cross hurricane relief efforts at approximately 8,000 Walgreens and Duane Reade locations throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
  • Walmart is committing up to $10 million in additional support for 2017 U.S. hurricane relief efforts. This will bring the total committed by Walmart to hurricane relief efforts this year to $30 million, building on the support provided in response to Hurricane Harvey. Walmart will match customer donations two-to-one with cash and product donations of up to $10 million to support American Red Cross disaster-response efforts. The company has also activated its Emergency Operations Center, which operates 24 hours a day, tracking storm impacts and supporting their employees’ needs and well-being. In addition, Walmart has shipped more than 1,700 truckloads of emergency merchandise and water to customers in need.