Sarasota, FL (October 21, 2024) – When Hurricane Milton made landfall a couple weeks ago, it wreaked havoc on the Florida gulf coast, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and/or access to critical resources. Within a day, a fleet of Salvation Army canteens arrived in Sarasota, a strategic location chosen due to its accessibility and proximity to impacted areas; to establish emergency feeding operations and provide survivors with hot meals. However, recovery in the wake of such devastation requires collective effort, and Walmart embraces this mission wholeheartedly. In response to both Hurricane Milton and Helene, the Walmart Foundation also supported The Salvation Army in helping feed people impacted by the storms.
In the United Sates, Walmart has 5,205 retail units, with 385 of those being in Florida. These units range from Walmart Supercenters to Neighborhood Markets, Sam’s Clubs, and even discount stores. In many communities across the country, Walmart is the primary shopping center for residents. In other words, Walmart is often a community staple.
In the wake of Hurricane Milton, Walmart in Osprey, Florida quickly worked to ensure their location could safely re-open to give their patrons access to critically needed supplies.
However, with many community members seeking assistance at their location after the storm, Walmart realized they were in a unique position to provide further support. They set up shower and laundry trailers in their parking lot, offering survivors access to clean clothes and warm showers. On Wednesday, Walmart also worked with The Salvation Army to serve hot meals outside their store.
Walmart quickly transformed from a store into a hub of recovery. Survivors were able to shower, eat a hot meal, and wash their clothes – all in one place. The aid offered by Walmart and The Salvation Army helped to restore a sense of normalcy many had lost during the storm. As the Salvation Army delivered hope, Walmart followed through on its commitment to ensuring people could “live better,” even during challenging times.
