Walgreens, Rite Aid join Hurricane Matthew relief efforts

DEERFIELD, Ill. - Both Walgreens and Rite Aid on Thursday joined prominent Florida retailers in helping victims of Hurricane Matthew.



Customers shopping at Walgreens stores in southeastern U.S. states will have the opportunity to make donations to the American Red Cross Relief Fund in increments of $1, $2, $5 or $10. And the Rite Aid Foundation announced a $125,000 donation to the American Red Cross to help the victims, families and communities across the Southeastern United States that were affected by Hurricane Matthew. That donation will support relief efforts in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, where Rite Aid operates more than 500 stores.



The Rite Aid Foundation will also donate up to $25,000 of in-kind product to the Feeding American Food Bank in North Carolina and Harvest Hope Food Bank in South Carolina. The donation will include canned food items, personal hygiene products, infant care products and cleaning supplies.



In addition, Walgreens has donated merchandise to several emergency shelters serving individuals in need in the impacted region. Supplies include health and hygiene products such as diabetes glucometers and test strips, thermometers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, baby diapers and baby wipes.



“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the people who have been displaced in Hurricane Matthew’s path and the flooding that followed,” stated Charles Bernard, Walgreens corporate operations VP for the Southeast. “They include our neighbors, our customers and our employees, and we want to support them in any way we can.”



"The effects of Hurricane Matthew are still being felt in several southeast states including North and South Carolina, where deadly floods have cut off entire communities," said Jeri Sims, American Red Cross Regional CEO. "We are eternally grateful for our valuable partnership with The Rite Aid Foundation, whose generosity will provide support through disaster relief for victims of this tragic event."



Last week, Publix Super Markets established a program to offer its customers and associates a way to directly assist those areas affected by Hurricane Matthew. Additionally, Publix Super Markets Charities donated $1 million to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Matthew relief efforts for affected areas.