EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Given Grainger's product mix and distribution capabilities, the company is a natural leader in disaster preparedness and response, mobilizing employees and essential products (such as generators, cleaning supplies, batteries, flashlights and gloves) in times of emergency, throughout the company’s U.S. branch network, as well as locations in Canada, Mexico, China and Panama.
Since 2001, the company has built a strategic partnership with the American Red Cross, providing more than $4 million in cash, product and employee volunteers to support preparedness and relief efforts across the United States and internationally.
Making an Impact: VolunteerismReady When the Time Comes
Grainger has led the charge in corporate disaster volunteerism through its unique partnership with the American Red Cross. Ready When the Time Comes (RWTC) engages corporations in providing trained disaster relief volunteers who are ready to respond quickly when a local or national disaster strikes. As National Founding Sponsor of this program Grainger contributed $1 million to seed RWTC programs in 22 Red Cross chapters nationwide.
Since the adoption of RWTC, approximately 1,000 Grainger employees have been trained as volunteers across the country and have responded to more than 24 disasters. Grainger employees have proudly assisted the Red Cross in staffing emergency phone centers following Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav and Ike; staffing shelters and performing damage assessment following the California wildfires and Kansas City ice storms; serving meals and snacks to first responders following the Manhattan steam pipe explosion; and distributing food, water and aid supplies to many areas throughout the country.
More than 150 organizations have joined the program, including Fortune 500 companies such as Citibank, Oracle, Sprint and The Gap. These businesses have trained more than 5,000 employee volunteers in disaster relief, enabling the Red Cross to increase its capacity to respond by more than 35%.
Outside of RWTC, Grainger employees are encouraged to participate in local volunteer activities such as Junior Achievement, Chicago’s Ladder Up (formerly the Tax Assistance Program) and numerous other initiatives.
Making an Impact: Charitable GivingGrainger Rebuilding America ®
Following a disaster, resources are limited and aid to small businesses can be scarce. Recognizing this need, the company launched Grainger Rebuilding America® in 2003, a program that contributes up to $100,000 annually to community businesses severely affected by disaster.
The contribution is issued to a local nonprofit foundation or economic development organization. Small, independent businesses that meet the grant criteria may then apply to receive seed money through the nonprofit organization. To date, Grainger has awarded Rebuilding America grants in Jackson, TN.; Utica, IL; Springfield/Jerome, IL; Iowa City, IA; Bound Brook, NJ; Findlay/Ottawa, OH; Macon, GA; and Parkersburg, IA. More than 100 small businesses have received funding to assist with inventory replacement, rebuilding efforts, advertising and other disaster recovery needs.