Retailers launch Louisiana flood relief

Local grocers Rouses and Southeastern Grocers have announced support for customers and associates impacted by devastating flooding in Louisiana, while Walmart and Target have pledged donations to local relief efforts.

All Rouses locations are accepting cash donations and donations of non-perishable food and cleaning supplies for Second Harvest and the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, the retailer announced. Customers can also donate online.

Immediately after the storm, Rouses urged associates at the Denham Springs store, located in an area that was particularly hard hit, to contact store directors at a neighboring location to make sure all employees were accounted for.

Rouses also posted a video to YouTube showing managing partner Donny Rouse assessing the damage at the Denham Springs store, with a promise to rebuild.

Southeastern Grocers launched a weeklong donation-matching program through the Southeastern Grocers Foundation on Aug. 17. The retailer plans to match every dollar donated at any Winn-Dixie, Bi-Lo and Harveys store.

“Winn-Dixie has been a part of the Louisiana community for 60 years. During that time, the strength and resilience of the community has been tried time and time again, and we are proud to have the people of Louisiana as our customers, our associates, and our neighbors, as their bravery and perseverance has been an inspiration as we begin our recovery efforts,” Southeastern president and CEO Ian McLeod said in a press release.

“We are encouraging all our customers across the Southeast to rise up and support the great states and communities of Louisiana and Mississippi. We will continue to work tirelessly on the ground and with the American Red Cross to direct all available resources to help the people affected by the flooding.”

Meanwhile, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation announced they would donate $500,000 in cash and in-kind donations, including truck loads of water sent to impacted areas.

“We are deeply saddened by the devastating floods in Louisiana and the catastrophic effect it’s having on our associates and members of the community,” Mark Cooper, senior director of emergency management, Walmart, said in press release. “We are fully committed to the relief efforts and will continue to work closely with local officials to do everything we can.”

Similarly, Target will donate $100,000 each to the Salvation Army and American Red Cross, as well as $30,000 to local schools. The retailer donated more than $100,000 of food to local food banks. It has partnered with local non-profits to distribute $20,000 in Target GiftCards for the purchase of supplies during recovery efforts.

Target also plans to match donations to the American Red Cross from associates, up to $50,000. The retailer said its store teams in the affected area have been volunteering their time to contribute to relief efforts.

“Communities where we have a presence don’t just represent a store to Target; these communities are home to many of our team members and countless valued guests,” said Laysha Ward, chief corporate social responsibility officer, Target. “We’re extremely proud of our team members’ efforts, not only as volunteers, but also in making sure our stores closest to the disaster areas are ready with needed supplies. We're honored to work with incredible partners like The American Red Cross and Salvation Army to provide relief and comfort during the response and recovery.”