Disaster Relief Donations
Since our founding in 1913, we’ve been an ally to communities and governments in times of need, including health crises and natural disasters, starting with World War II, when bleach was used to disinfect wounds, neutralize enemy gases and purify water.
Today, bleach is one of the most requested items in times of disaster, next to water. Whether it’s for pandemics such as Ebola or COVID-19, or natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, we make product donations to help with recovery, largely through our primary disaster relief partner, the American Red Cross.
We’re proud to have supported the American Red Cross for over 50 years and to be a member of its Annual Disaster Giving Program with financial donations in excess of $17 million, countless in-kind donations, grants and employee support. We were honored to be named the 2020 Red Cross Gala Philanthropic Company of the Year.
We’re also proud members of the Red Cross’s Disaster Responder Program that powers disaster relief readiness. This program ensures the Red Cross has critical systems and supplies in place before the first emergency shelter is opened, before the first volunteer arrives and before the first meal is served. This pre-investment in disaster relief ensures the tens of thousands of Red Cross workers — 90% of them volunteers — have the know-how, equipment and technology to turn heartbreak into hope and stand with disaster survivors as they rebuild their lives. This advanced support also allows the Red Cross to provide people and communities with the knowledge and resources they need to face emergencies of all kinds, before they happen. With disasters becoming more frequent and intense, these vital partnerships are more important than ever.
Here are some ways The Clorox Company Foundation and our brands supported victims of natural disasters in fiscal year 2023, in addition to our ongoing contributions of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Clorox Bleach, Glad Trash Bags and other disinfecting products to the American Red Cross throughout the year:
- Clorox employees supported the American Red Cross by hosting five blood drives and donating over 113 blood units and through workplace giving with over $29,000 in donations.
- The Clorox Company Foundation awarded a $150,000 grant to support the American Red Cross’s Home Fire Financial Assistance Program, which addresses the immediate needs of home fire survivors – from lodging to clothing to the replacement of prescriptions.
- After a severe hurricane season in 2022, our CloroxPro business joined forces with AmeriCares and Feeding America to donate numerous truckloads of disinfectants to impacted communities in Kentucky and Florida.
- Following spring storms and floods in East Texas, we donated two trailers of Clorox bleach to the American Red Cross for distribution.
- We provided Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes, Clorox® Bleach, Glad® Trash Bags, and other disinfecting products to those impacted by Hurricane Beryl in Texas and Louisiana.
- After Hurricane Francine hit Louisiana and Hurricane Idalia affected Georgia and South Carolina, Convoy of Hope distributed our products to impacted communities.
- During the severe tornado season, we supplied products to residents in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Texas.
- Convoy of Hope distributed our products to those affected by floods in Connecticut, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Texas.
We also continue our longtime support of schools, food banks and other nonprofit organizations that serve communities in need.
The fair market value of our U.S. product donations alone amounted to $43.3 million in fiscal year 2024.