Retail pharmacy responds to communities in south Texas

AUSTIN, Texas — In response to the devastation associated with Hurricane Harvey, several retailers have stepped up their giving.



H‑E‑B, which calls Texas home, early into the storm donated $100,000 toward Hurricane Harvey relief efforts and have begun accepting customer donations for the families and communities devastated by the storm. "H‑E‑B has received numerous requests from customers about how they can help support victims and communities affected by Hurricane Harvey," said Winell Herron, H‑E‑B group VP public affairs and diversity. "H‑E‑B's tear pad campaign offers a convenient and efficient way for our customers to make a difference in the lives of thousands of families in need."



In Victoria, Texas, Walgreens loaned the city a generator in order for them to help power their sewage facility and prevent from comprising the water supply of 70,000 residents with sewage backflow. "We proactively staged generators in the area and were able to quickly provide one to the city during this emergency," Phil Caruso, Walgreens spokesman, told Drug Store News.

CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation gave $200,000 in cash and in-kind product donations to organizations helping with relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Harvey. The CVS Health Foundation has donated $50,000 each to the Greater Houston Community Foundation and the American Red Cross, as well as $25,000 to Salvation Army, to aid the greater Houston area in supporting local residents as they begin the recovery and rebuilding process. 



In addition, CVS Health colleagues are invited to make a donation amount of their choosing, which will be matched by the CVS Health Foundation, up to $25,000.



CVS Pharmacy's mobile pharmacies will be moved into the area once it is safe to do so.



“We want to offer any assistance we can to our customers, colleagues and communities affected by this disaster,” stated Eileen Howard Boone, SVP corporate social responsibility and philanthropy at CVS Health, and president CVS Health Foundation. “Both CVS Health and the CVS Health Foundation are committed to ensuring that residents hit hard by this disaster have continued access to critical pharmacy care and the non-profit partners, first responders and government agencies leading the relief efforts on the ground have the critical supplies and financial support they need to help those most in need.”



And Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have made a $1 million commitment to provide support for relief efforts through cash and product donations. As a part of this commitment, Walmart is working closely with organizations like the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Convoy of Hope while coordinating efforts with elected officials and governmental entities to help meet the needs of those affected.



“We are concerned for the people in the path of this potentially devastating storm,” stated Kathleen McLaughlin, chief sustainability officer at Walmart and president of the Walmart Foundation. “We are actively supporting local response efforts and will continue to be there for our customers, friends, family, fellow associates and neighbors in the Gulf Coast."



Additionally, H‑E‑B's Mobile Kitchens and Disaster Relief Units are gearing up to feed and help communities in need along the Texas Gulf Coast. H‑E‑B continues to work directly with disaster relief agencies to efficiently distribute supplies to areas where they are needed most.