CHICAGO --Convenience-store retailers and suppliers are providing much-needed aid after Hurricane Florence swept through the Carolinas earlier this September.
Florence made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane just south of Wrightsville Beach, N.C., on Sept. 14. Despite weakening as it moved inland, the storm caused widespread power outages and flooding. At least 45 deaths were attributed to the storm, and damage is currently estimated at more than $38 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Here’s how the c-store industry is providing relief.
7-Eleven
7-Eleven Inc. is raising money to support the American Red Cross’ relief efforts. The Irving, Texas-based retailer is inviting customers to add $1 to their purchase at participating 7-Eleven stores nationwide or donate online at 7-eleven.com/hurricane-relief.
Exxon, Allenwood, N.J.
After seeing the devastation, Amit Patel, owner of an Exxon gas station in Allenwood, N.J., gathered a group of friends and loaded up two trucks filled with pallets of water, Gatorade, food and other supplies. They then drove down to New Bern, N.C., to deliver aid to victims of the storm, according to a press release from the New Jersey Gasoline, C-Store, Automotive Association (NJGCA). “He plans to return to Craven County [on Sept. 28] with more supplies and volunteers for those who are trying to rebuild,” NJGCA Executive Director Sal Risalvato said.
Wawa
The Wawa Foundation, a nonprofit corporation founded by Wawa, Pa.-based Wawa Inc. that supports the company’s charitable giving and philanthropic activities, is donating $150,000 to the American Red Cross for disaster relief assistance. “Our hearts go out to everyone affected by Hurricane Florence during this difficult time for so many across the Carolinas,” said Wawa Foundation President Jay Culotta. “For decades, Wawa and The Wawa Foundation have worked with the American Red Cross in these kinds of efforts, including providing aid for Hurricanes Maria, Irma, Harvey, Sandy, Andrew, Katrina and Rita. We know the impact the Red Cross has on helping communities who need our support, and we are committed to assisting their efforts in this recent disaster.”
Anheuser-Busch
St. Louis-based Anheuser-Busch sent six truckloads (more than 300,000 cans) of emergency canned drinking water to local communities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia as the states prepared for Hurricane Florence. The water was transported from Anheuser-Busch’s brewery in Cartersville, Ga., which periodically pauses beer production to can drinking water as a way of being ready to help communities in times of disaster.
Coca-Cola Co.
The Coca-Cola Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co., has pledged $1 million to the American Red Cross to help provide immediate resources for food and shelter, as well as aid in long-term rebuilding efforts in North and South Carolina. Coca-Cola, the foundation and its local bottling partner, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, have also donated more than 100,000 bottles of water and other beverages to the American Red Cross and other local community organizations. The company is also matching its own employees’ contribution, up to $100,000, to the Coca-Cola Employee Disaster Relief Fund, which is available to provide disaster relief and rebuilding funds to the more than 6,000 Coca-Cola system employees who live in the path of Hurricane Florence.
Jack Link's
Through Sept. 30, Jack Link's is matching every dollar (up to $50,000) donated to Team Rubicon, a nongovernment organization that uses disaster response to help reintegrate veterans back into civilian life. Donations will go directly to Team Rubicon, a partner of Minong, Wis.-based Jack Link's, and ensure they have the resources they need to help rebuild lives and restore communities affected by Florence.
Kellogg Co.
Battle Creek, Mich.-based Kellogg Co. has donated five semitrailers, or 21 million servings, of cereal, bars and crackers to Feeding America to support area food banks and help people in the Carolinas and Appalachia region affected by Hurricane Florence.
Nestle Waters North America
As of Sept. 19, Stamford, Conn.-based Nestle Waters North America had donated about 850,000 bottles of water to communities affected by Florence, including 38,000 bottles, or 952 cases, of Nestle Pure Life to Harvest Hope Food Bank, the leading food bank for disaster response in South Carolina.
PepsiCo
The PepsiCo Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Purchase, N.Y.-based PepsiCo, is donating $1 million in grants to relief agencies and 350,000 meals to communities affected by Hurricane Florence. The foundation is giving two $500,000 grants to the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army.
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