Leading corporate investment aims to inspire other partners;
will help the Red Cross alleviate growing impacts of natural
disasters on America's most vulnerable communities
WASHINGTON, March 7,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the American Red Cross
celebrates Truist Foundation for its generous donation of
$5 million to support the urgent
humanitarian needs posed by extreme weather events across the U.S.
Truist Foundation, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the first
corporate partner to commit such a gift in addition to its annual
$1 million commitment to Red Cross
Disaster Relief.
Truist Foundation's investment will help the Red Cross grow and
adapt its capacity to respond to natural disasters and accelerate
its ability to prevent and alleviate hardships brought on by these
urgent and increasing challenges. These new Red Cross initiatives
aim to reduce the number of families falling into poverty after
disasters, including the expansion of financial assistance to help
those most in need bridge significant roadblocks to recovery and
find solutions for safe and stable living environments.
"Natural disasters pose a clear threat to the well-being and
stability of our communities," said Lynette
Bell, president of Truist Foundation. "Truist Foundation
works to ensure the most vulnerable communities receive the direct
and immediate support they need to bolster their recovery in the
aftermath of a disaster. My hope is that other corporate partners
are inspired to follow in our footsteps and support the American
Red Cross in this important work."
As extreme weather-driven disasters such as hurricanes, floods
and wildfires worsen, more displaced families and communities rely
on the Red Cross for help. The organization is often one of the
first on the ground during a crisis and serves millions of people
in need each year, especially the most vulnerable who are
often disproportionately affected by natural disasters.
Furthermore, housing, health and hunger-related services in these
communities need greater capacity and stronger support networks to
respond.
Through its new Community Adaptation Program, the Red Cross is
helping to build resiliency and empower families after disasters by
enhancing support in several target areas, which are concurrently
at high risk for extreme weather and struggling with socioeconomic
challenges. Through the program, the Red Cross is partnering with
local nonprofits to strengthen their ability to serve families hit
hard by intense, recurring disasters. Inspired by this innovative
partnership at the local level, Truist Foundation's commitment will
help the Red Cross meet its goal to lessen the impact of future
disasters in these communities.
"Stronger and more frequent disasters are repeatedly striking
communities across the country, creating unimaginable suffering for
vulnerable families," said Gail
McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross. "As
we continue to see these devastating impacts each year, we're so
very grateful for Truist Foundation's generosity and
partnership as we work to expand our capacity and adapt our
services to help people in times of great need."
Truist Foundation has been a member of the Annual Disaster
Giving Program — a group of generous corporate partners that donate
to the Red Cross in advance of disasters — since its inception in
2020 and has also supported specific Red Cross disaster response
efforts regionally and nationally.
About Truist Foundation
Truist Foundation is
committed to Truist Financial Corporation's
(NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and
communities. Established in 2020, Truist Foundation makes strategic
investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the
communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality
of life. Truist Foundation's grants and activities focus
on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening
small businesses. Learn more at truist.com/foundation.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to
victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood;
teaches skills that save lives; distributes international
humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their
families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on
volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its
mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or
cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter
at @RedCross.
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SOURCE American Red Cross