Lowe's Donations Reach $1 Million for American Red Cross Disaster Relief Efforts

Lowe's stores answer call for help with product donations, volunteers to aid local communities

MOORESVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Lowe's donated an additional $250,000 to American Red Cross National Disaster Relief today to provide continued support to the thousands affected by severe weather nationwide. Today's donation brings the company's total contribution to $1 million over the past month.

The funds are helping the American Red Cross bring relief to those hit hardest by the spring storms, floods and other disasters, including the tornadoes in North Carolina, Alabama, Missouri and across the United States. Lowe's employees in the affected communities also have banded together to provide critically needed supplies and support to residents and families.

Lowe's of Joplin, Mo. has been assisting in relief efforts since Sunday's tornado, hosting the American Red Cross, other local disaster response teams and a local hospital that set up a triage unit in the store parking lot to provide medical assistance. In addition, Lowe's of Joplin donated and delivered $10,000 worth of emergency products to first responders for search and rescue operations.

"When a disaster hits, our partners at the American Red Cross know they can depend on Lowe's to step up with funding, supplies and volunteers to meet the critical needs of an affected community," said Robert A. Niblock, Lowe's chairman, president and CEO. "The need has been great throughout the country over the past weeks, and Lowe's will continue to support our disaster relief partners in the days to come as they help communities and families rebuild their lives."

One of the most immediate needs identified in Joplin after Sunday's disaster was a place for families and first responders to receive a hot meal. Lowe's worked quickly with its vendor partners to provide free hot breakfast, lunch and dinner to anyone in need and has served more than 8,000 meals since Tuesday. Free meals continue to be served in the store parking lot to emergency services workers and Joplin residents.

"When it comes to disaster relief, Lowe's makes things happen. Not only does Lowe's unfailingly respond with the funds needed to continue our day-to-day disaster operations in places like Tuscaloosa and Joplin, but the employees react and do whatever it takes to support the community when a disaster hits" said Gail McGovern, CEO of the American Red Cross. "Their on-the-ground actions to support the American Red Cross and the communities we serve bring a whole new meaning to our partnership."

Since partnering with the Red Cross in 1999, Lowe's and its customers have contributed more than $22 million for disaster relief. Donations to the Red Cross can be made at Lowe's stores nationwide, on Lowes.com or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

About Lowe's

With fiscal year 2010 sales of $48.8 billion, Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE^(R) 50 company that serves approximately 15 million customers a week at more than 1,750 home improvement stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

    Source: Lowe's Companies, Inc.