Retailers dedicate resources to Midwest flood recovery

3/22/2019
With Midwestern states recently affected by flooding, Hy-Vee, Walgreens, Walmart and Sam’s Club and CVS Health’s Aetna are offering various forms of support to those affected.

Iowa-based Hy-Vee this week kicked off a fundraising effort for the American Red Cross of Nebraska and Southwest Iowa, allowing its shoppers in Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa, to donate any amount oat checkout or customer service counters to help with flood relief efforts. The retailer will match all donations up to $50,000.

“Our mission at Hy-Vee is to help all our communities and our customers, especially in times of crisis,” said Frank Woodward, senior regional vice president of Hy-Vee’s western region. “We know many of the communities we serve are facing immediate challenges when it comes to getting supplies, and they’ll face an even longer road recovering from these floods, which is why we want to do everything we can to help.”

Walgreens on Friday announced a $25,000 donation to the American Red Cross, in addition to the donations of OTC medications and medical supplies to various community organizations in Iowa and Nebraska, where it operates 128 stores collectively. Additionally, starting March 23, Walgreens is allowing Iowa and Nebraska customers to make donations at checkout to American Red Cross flood relief efforts. The donation program will run through March 29.

Walmart, Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation have committed to providing $100,000 worth of support in cash and product donations. The three are donating $50,000 in supplies and $50,000 in cash to the Red Cross and the United Way in Iowa and Nebraska. Walmart and Sam’s Club operate 68 total stores and a distribution center Iowa and 47 stores and a distribution center in Nebraska. Between the two states, they employ more than 29,000 associates.

“The impact of these historic floods is affecting our associates, our customers and the communities we serve,” said Kyla Luckie, Walmart regional general manager for Nebraska, Iowa and northeast

“In addition to cash donations, our local stores and distribution centers have been providing product to meet basic needs in the affected communities. We will also continue to work with non-profits, first responders, local officials and government organizations to identify needs and provide additional support.”

CVS Health’s Aetna is offering its members the opportunity to refill the prescriptions early if needed. Its members in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin who use Aetna’s mail-order pharmacy can get a prescription at an alternate delivery location or refill a prescription that may have been lost, damaged or destroyed. The company also is making available professional who have experience dealing with traumatic events, and it opened its Resources for Living services to anyone affected by the flooding. Those looking for assistance can call 1-833-327-AETNA for help finding shelters, accessing government resources or obtaining referrals or help to cope with the emotional impact of the floods.
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