Albertsons donates $500K to natural disaster relief efforts

In the wake of Hurricane Ida in the East and the ongoing fire season in California, Albertsons is committing funds to help communities recover. The Boise, Idaho-based retailer is donating $500,000 to provide food to those affected by wildfires and Hurricane Ida, with the money supporting local food banks and local hunger-relief organizations in providing some 2 million meals to people. 

“Hurricane Ida and the California wildfires have impacted our associates, customers and communities,” Albertson CEO Vivek Sankaran said. “We’re thankful we are able to assist local hunger relief organizations as they provide much-needed relief to those affected by these disasters. I also want to thank our store and distribution associates who are working tirelessly to serve our neighbors in these communities during this challenging time.”

The company will donate $250,000 to Hurricane Ida response efforts and $250,000 to wildfire disaster relief in Northern California. 

“Many of the impacted communities already had high rates of food insecurity,” said Luis Guardia, president of the Food Research and Action Center. “Being displaced by fires or weather issues only intensifies these issues. It’s wonderful to have good corporate neighbors like Albertsons who care about the communities they serve.”

Albertsons also said it was committed to helping associates who had been personally affected by the natural disasters, enabling associates to contribute to the company’s “We Care” fund to help support coworkers in need who can apply for financial assistance grants. 

The contributions are part of the retailer’s hunger relief support efforts, which saw Albertsons donate $260 million worth of food and financial support in 2020, including $95 million through its Nourishing Neighbors Program, which helps provide food and nutrition to those in need.