Natural disasters like hurricanes and earthquakes are becoming more frequent, and they can devastate entire communities. Helping those communities in the wake of a disaster requires careful coordination, planning and strong partnerships. It also means being ready to help before a disaster ever occurs. Here’s a look at what Target is doing to proactively prepare so we can respond immediately when disaster strikes.
Powerful partnerships
Powerful partnerships with organizations like the American Red Cross, Footprint Project, Team Rubicon, Feeding America, SBP and many others help forward Target’s disaster relief efforts. In 2024, experts predicted one of the worst hurricane seasons on record. Ahead of the season, we donated $2.5 million — $1.5 million to key domestic disaster relief partners, including the American Red Cross and Footprint Project, and $1 million to global organizations — to help them respond instantly with food, financial aid, medicine and essential supplies to communities in crisis.
“Caring for our communities has always been at the heart of Target’s business, and our hundreds of thousands of team members around the world demonstrate that commitment every day,” says Kiera Fernandez, chief community impact and equity officer at Target. “No matter what, Team Target shows up with resolve and resilience to live out our purpose. The impact we have is only possible because of the deep relationships we build in the neighborhoods we serve, and I couldn’t be prouder of our team’s continued investment in their colleagues, guests and communities.”
The Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP)
As a member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP), Target pre-invests to help the Red Cross prepare for disasters big and small across the U.S., including hurricanes, wildfires and countless other crises, before they strike.
In 2024, Target proactively provided funds that supported Red Cross disaster relief. These donations help ensure the Red Cross has the supplies and trained personnel to act immediately in the aftermath of disasters, including storms like Hurricane Beryl. This devastating storm left more than three million homes and businesses in and around Houston with extensive flooding and power outages. ADGP members like Target helped fuel Red Cross relief efforts, including providing warm meals, shelter, relief supplies and emotional support for those in need.
“We are so very grateful to Target for their generous commitment to our lifesaving mission,” says Anne McKeough, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. “As families and communities struggle with more frequent and intense disasters, forward-thinking ADGP members like Target enable us to offer vital assistance and make a profound impact on those facing adversity.”
Footprint Project
Target partners with Footprint Project, a nonprofit organization that mobilizes solar power for communities in crisis. Following Hurricane Beryl, this partnership provided mobile solar microgrids — quickly deployable trailers that allow solar electricity to be captured and stored to keep food cold, power Wi-Fi or charge phones — for the impacted communities. Target’s support provided Footprint Project with funds for rapid response after Beryl’s landfall and through the end of the year for long-term recovery, new power workshops and training to restore and rebuild.
“Footprint Project is deeply grateful for Target’s commitment to helping communities build back greener and more resilient,” says Jamie Swezey, program director at Footprint Project.
Teamwork makes the difference
Where does Team Target come in? Far in advance of a disaster, a team spanning many areas of our organization builds comprehensive disaster response plans. When a disaster strikes, our global supply chain team springs into action to execute the plan, rapidly adjusting our logistics network, identifying product that’s most important to our guests and ensuring that it’s moving through our supply chain network quickly. Essential supplies like food, water and batteries are available in Target stores both before and after the natural disaster to help these communities manage through the recovery period as quickly as possible.
In preparation for Hurricane Beryl, we began partnering with team members in communities that would be impacted by Beryl 10 days before the hurricane made landfall, working quickly to provide stores with the most critical inventory — more than 500 pallets of water and more than 100 pallets of batteries and flashlights.
Target’s culture of care in action
In the aftermath of the storm, team members in the local Texas communities hard-hit by Beryl showed their dedication, effort and support for each other and our guests. A few examples of the many ways Target’s culture of care made a difference:
- Dickinson Store Director Cynthia V. organized a $2,500 donation of food supplies to the Galveston County Food Bank
- New Caney Executive Team Lead Mike G. helped in his own neighborhood by chainsawing fallen trees blocking access to and from the neighborhood
“I’m really proud of all of our teams and partners in the Houston area,” says Oscar R., Houston Meyerland store director. “It has been a challenging time and each and every one of them showed up despite their personal circumstances. We all came together to deliver what our guests needed while also showing care and compassion for each other. It feels amazing to work for a company that is willing to work around the clock in situations like this and gives us the support needed to serve our community before, during and after a natural disaster.”
Learn more about how Target prepares for and supports our teams, guests and communities during natural disasters.
