Many companies and groups across the nation are rushing to provide aid to Texans after last week's winter storm left millions without power, food, water and access to other resources.
The range of establishments providing donation efforts is large, and the list of helping hands continues to grow.
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) took to Twitter last week and, through Sunday, had raised more than $5 million for relief in Texas. The money raised is going to 12 organizations including the Food Bank of West Central Texas, Central Texas Food Bank, Southeast Texas Food Bank, Feeding Texas, The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, South Texas Food Bank, Corazon Ministries, Houston Food Bank, Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, ECHO (Ending Community Homelessness Coalition), North Texas Food Bank, and Family Eldercare.
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Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson has announced that the Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund will distribute $500,000 in grants to 25 local organizations that are helping residents to recover from last week's winter storms. Each organization will receive a $20,000 grant. Johnson said the organizations that will receive funds from this tranche of grants are those helping to shelter victims of domestic violence, those providing food, clothing, and essentials to underserved communities, and those helping vulnerable residents with rental and utility assistance.
The Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund also received a donation of $50,000 and 50,000 gallons of water from Kroger, as well as a $25,000 donation from the Greater Dallas Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce.
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks donate $1.25 million to the Mayor's Disaster Relief Fund and other sources, such as the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Our Calling, Austin Street Shelter, the Stewpot, the Family Place, Genesis Women’s Shelter, the Wilkinson Center, Housing Crisis Center, Voice of Hope, and 14 YMCA locations. Players such as Dwight Powell, Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Maxi Kleber, etc., owner Mark Cuban, and CEO Cynt Marshall all chipped in to provide for the city. Committee members and The Dallas Foundation have begun discussions for distributing the money to help as many residents in need as possible, city officials said.
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Wells Fargo
To help aid in relief efforts, the Wells Fargo Foundation will donate a total of $500,000 for response and recovery, including $50,000 to American Red Cross and $100,000 to Feeding America's network of 21 food banks in the state. The remaining $350,000 will be used to support local nonprofit efforts, as well as aid with the recovery in communities of color, who have been disproportionately impacted during this crisis.
Wells Fargo told NBC 5 Tuesday that the North Texas Food Bank and the Tarrant Area Food Bank would both be receiving $42,500 to help aid relief efforts in addition to any portion they may receive from the $100,000 given to Feeding Texas.
"The recent winter storms caused a wide path of destruction and emotional distress, and we want our customers, employees and communities we serve across the state to know we are here for them," said Nate Hurst, president of the Wells Fargo Foundation. "We hope our donation helps local nonprofits expand their work and facilitate an equitable recovery from the severe weather. Importantly, we also wanted some of our funding to help build resiliency for the future so communities can better withstand the impacts of climate change."
Wells Fargo is committed to providing support to customers, clients and employees affected by these storms, including suppressing/waiving/reversing certain fees, such as late fees. Payment assistance and disaster relief options requires customers to contact us. Customers who want to discuss their financial needs should call 800-219-9739. For up-to-date information on location closings, customers can visit our branch locator website. Additionally, customers are able to make donations to the American Red Cross via online banking and mobile app via Zelle. Wells Fargo is also supporting employees through the WE Care Fund, a Wells Fargo program that provides financial grants to employees to cover unforeseen expenses caused by a disaster situation or a financial hardship that is beyond their control.
Tyson Foods
One million meals, bottled water, and other supplies will be donated by Tyson foods for its' employees and other Texans impacted by the recent storm. The 10 Texas cities receiving the donation are Amarillo, Carthage, Center, Dallas, Haltom City, Houston, North Richland Hills, Seguin, Sherman, and Vernon. The food company said it will contact local authorities to coordinate distribution details.
Neiman Marcus
In light of the recent winter storms that severely impacted our Texas communities leaving many without power, heat, and water, and now consequently with water damage, Neiman Marcus will be donating 10% of sales through March 2 to the following charities: Dallas - The Family Place (NP and DT), Minnie's Food Pantry (WB), and The Big Good (FW)
Chobani
Chobani donated $100,000 to Operation Homefront to support Texan military families impacted by the dangerously cold weather last week. The funds come from Chobani's Hero Batch greek yogurt and are given to the national nonprofit's Critical Financial Assistance program. The program provides assistance with home repair, food insecurity, rent and mortgage payments, auto repairs, and other critical family needs. The company has also opted to give 100,000 cups of greek yogurt to Tarrant Area Food Bank, after delivering water to Fort Worth residents over the weekend.
Macy's
Macy’s is committed to giving back to the Texas and Tennessee communities impacted by the recent winter storms leaving neighbors, customers and colleagues without power or water amid freezing temperatures. To assist with these communities’ immediate needs, Macy’s has donated $50,000 to several local organizations supporting disaster relief efforts, listed below. These organizations provide shelter, food and other necessary items to those impacted.
- Central Texas Food Bank – Austin
- Foster Angels – Austin
- Genesis Women’s Shelter – Dallas
- Minnie’s Food Pantry – Dallas
- Houston Food Bank – Houston
- Texas Baptist Church – San Antonio
- Nashville Rescue Mission – Nashville
CarParts.com
CarParts.com is donating 1% of revenue generated through their website from Monday, Feb. 22, through the end of February, having already advanced $100k for immediate relief to Texans in need.
Lowe's
With the help of Lowe's volunteers, the home repair store is giving away 500 buckets stuffed with flashlights, trash bags, DampRid moisture absorber and other items at two stores in DFW (while supplies last), one in Arlington and one in Dallas. The buckets can be picked up at the Lowe's along Arbrook Boulevard, facing Interstate 20, in South Arlington and at the store on 8520 S. Hampton Road in Dallas beginning Monday morning. In addition, the home repair store will offer repair tips for repairing burst pipes, gutters, and damaged lawns and can make recommendations for professional help in removing wet carpet and drywall, tarping and replacing damaged roofs, and replacing water heaters and HVAC systems.
Stanley Black & Decker
The manufacturing company gave a contribution of more than $500,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Giving Program to support the immediate needs of the state. In addition, Stanley Black & Decker plans to donate to the North Texas Food Bank and Genesis Women's Shelter.
Inspected.com
The city of Garland is partnering with Inspected.com, a company that offers remote virtual inspections with city officials via their phones, to pair residents with a professional who can walk them through repairs. "For some homeowners in Texas it's a leaky valve or their pipes have burst from the cold weather," Founder of Inspected.com Anthony Perera said. "Through Inspected.com, they are given access to stay in their homes and fix it themselves with the knowledge of professionals talking to them through the app via video." In addition, Garland residents will be able to video chat with city officials for any home concerns they may have.
Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola Company donated 100 pallets of bottled water to the city of Waco -- that was enough water to fill six tractor-trailers.
B'nai B'rith
B'nai B'rith will be accepting donations from the public and will match up to $10,000 from their Disaster and Emergency Relief Fund to help Texans attempting to recover after the weather. The company will assess the needs of different communities in the state and will work with partners to provide solutions. Donors can give through the B'nai B'rith website or by calling 800-573-9057.
