Wal-Mart's Support Of The Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Effort

Daily Situation Report

Included below are some of the announcements Wal-Mart has made or has been a part of on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
5 p. m. – Central Time

Facilities

* Of the 126 facilities that were originally shut down, 14 stores and clubs remain closed.
* A total of 89 facilities have reported damage. Nine have major damage, 41 moderate, and 39 minor damage or loss of merchandise.

In-Store and On-Line Assistance

* Today, Wal-Mart made available its gift registry kiosks for anyone displaced by the hurricane to sign up for items they need. It allows those across the country wishing to contribute items to do so.
* The on-line Emergency Contact Service established through in-store kiosks and on-line via walmart.com and samsclub.com is helping the public to locate and communicate with their friends and family members. So far it has received more than 11,000 postings and more than 1 million hits.

Wal-Mart Associates

* Initially, more than 34,000 Wal-Mart associates were displaced by Hurricane Katrina. So far, we have been in contact with 87% of these associates to learn they are working or safe.
* Our goal is to help associates get back on their feet and move forward with their lives. The Wal-Mart Emergency Information Line, established to answer associates questions and concerns, has fielded more than 15,000 calls.
* Any displaced associate can come and work in any other U. S. Wal-Mart store. Thus far, these associates have been transposed and are working from stories as far away as Alaska, California and Nevada, with many more in neighboring states of Georgia, Texas, and Florida.
* Displaced associates are eligible for up to $1,000 from our Associate Disaster Relief Fund if their homes were flooded or destroyed. We have already provided cash assistance to more than 6,100 associates, totaling more than $3.6 million in associate relief.

Merchandise

* The company has dispatched more than 2,380 trailer loads of water and emergency supplies to Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB locations in the affected areas.

Donations

* More than $3 million of product and water (more than 100 trailer loads) has been donated to shelters and others in the impacted areas. Many of these product donations -- diapers, toothbrushes, wipes and other personal products -- were given to assist evacuees arriving in large numbers at numerous Red Cross shelters earlier this week.
* Wal-Mart has donated the use of 18 former facilities to various relief agencies. More buildings are being evaluated for potential uses. These are free of charge and we are picking up utility costs.
* Stores have provided products free of charge in hard hit areas, such as Pass Christian and Waveland, Mississippi, where other assistance could not arrive. Truckloads of water, ice and dry food were sent to the parking lots of stores to distribute to residents in conjunction with National Guard. A mobile pharmacy has also been established in Waveland, MS since the store is not yet open.
* We have donated more than 150 computers to Red Cross Shelters, giving access to evacuees to reach to communicate through the internet.
* Customers can still donate at all store and clubs or online to the Red Cross, Salvation Army and Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund through [www.walmartfacts.com, www.walmart.com, www.walmartfoundation.org, www.walmartstores.com, www.samsclub.com].
* Wal-Mart has donated $17 million in cash to aid emergency relief efforts:
o $15 million to the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund
o $1 million to the Salvation Army
o $1 million to the American Red Cross
* More than $3 million has been collected in public contributions made directly by customers at our 3,800 Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB locations. These dollars will be donated to emergency relief efforts.

* 150 Internet-ready computers delivered or on the way to shelters to help evacuess and families find each other via the Wal-Mart and Red Cross web sites.
* Shipments of beds were delivered to the Houston Astrodome.
* Wal-Mart donated two trailers full of water and basic necessities to the New Orleans police force.
* Emergency Prescriptions Filled Free for Evacuees With No Money: Evacuees with emergency medicine needs and no money may go to any Wal-Mart pharmacy to have their prescriptions filled free of charge, even if they do not have a copy of their prescription. People who have been displaced and are temporarily residing in other areas may receive a seven-day supply of free medication. Nurses and doctors who have authority to write prescriptions and are treating patients in special needs shelters as part of the recovery effort can send their patients' prescriptions to Wal-Mart stores to be filled. Pharmacists are also prepared to handle situations where people do not have their prescriptions with them. Anyone with questions may contact the Mississippi Department of Health at 1-866-458-4948 or the Louisiana Pharmacy Board at 1-225-925-6496.


* On the international front, Wal-Mart has launched a nationwide fundraising drive in Canada. All Wal-Mart and SAM'S locations across the country are accepting donations at checkouts. All money raised will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross to support the US Katrina relief effort. In Germany, associates are hosting internal fundraisers, with proceeds going to the Katrina Associate Relief Fund.

* Wal-Mart continues to send trailers of needed product to the area.
* The Emergency Contact Service has been created in our stores and on the internet to allow Wal-Mart associates and customers to post messages regarding their well-being on our websites.
* Stores in affected areas are accepting vouchers from the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and FEMA.

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* Emergency Contact Service - post a message or search for a message from a loved one who is affected by Hurricane Katrina. This service is also available in any Wal-Mart Store, SAM’S CLUB, Neighborhood Market, or Distribution Center. Anyone in the affected area can go to their local store and post a message regarding their well-being

IrresistibleB1tch said:

I'm with you on this one! I'm happy that Wal Mart is doing this. Wal Mart at $330 billion a year is by far the worlds leader in retail. It just sucks that the majority of Wal Mart's employes are living below the poverty line. The second biggest retailer, Home Depot at $50 billion a year starts their employees off $2 more per hour than Wal Mart. It warms my heart that Wal Mart is doing a great thing here, but it's also a tax write off... a major one. More profits for them, pennies for their employes.

And oh but hell no I don't shop there either!

IrresistibleB1tch said:

co-sign

I've had my criticism of the place but I give them props here. Good job!

IrresistibleB1tch said:

we know target is way better

Christopher said:

And Family Dollar trumps them BOTH!

*Puts on $.75 zebra print hot pants*

HobbesLeCute said:

i need some 5yr old candy ....im going to visit dollar store now

Christopher said:

Don't forget the Dick Tracy party plates!

HobbesLeCute said:

no kidding...i got some dick tracy pencil boxes and knifes. i was scooping the batman returns backpacks

Christopher said:

Sometimes, I raise my $.25 laser sword (THERE WAS A SALE!!) into the air and shout "BY THE POWER OF FAMILY DOLLAR!" and I gain the power of ultra thriftiness and a really stylish Chipettes fanny pack to cruise around in.

Those Batman Returns backpacks sound too sexy for words.

HobbesLeCute said:

ohh they got toys on sale then?


i wonder if i can get some bark flavored corn-nuts 10 for .25

Christopher said:

They started selling Mystery Goo in multiple flavors at my dollar store. It's a dime for a whole pound, but after living off it for a few days I've come to the conclusion it's just their garbage water with Kool-Aid packets mixed in.

HobbesLeCute said:

that would go good with my vanillacoke flavor gum and 10 jeans for .36cents

Christopher said:

I would recommend not eating those jeans. BELIEVE ME, they're not very friendly on the way out.

they're just doing it for the good press. they need good press at this point.