Helping build resilience together: Canadian Red Cross and Walmart Canada launch annual campaign to support emergency relief

The Canadian Red Cross has launched the 19^th annual giving campaign with Walmart Canada for disaster relief and preparedness. Through the month of July, Walmart customers are invited to donate to Red Cross at the checkout in stores and on Walmart.ca. In addition to the funds donated, Walmart Canada will also contribute an additional $1 million to help communities in need. The support from Walmart, their Associates, and customers, is vital to the Red Cross as more frequent and complex emergencies arise, and community support is required both during and after emergencies and disasters.

Walmart Canada supports the commitment of the Red Cross in building resilience in communities across Canada, as well as internationally. In addition to the funds contributed during the annual campaign, Walmart Canada has also provided support for other Red Cross initiatives, such as the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal, with a donation earlier this year of $270,000 which included an employee giving match.

Last year, Walmart supported the Red Cross Friendly Calls Program with a donation of $250,000. The program addresses loneliness and isolation through regular phone calls and helps to connect people to their local community.  In 2020, Walmart provided delivery trucks for the Toronto Mobile Food Bank through which Red Cross personnel deliver packaged food hampers to clients who are unable to access traditional food banks.

“The continued support of Walmart Canada helps the Canadian Red respond to emergencies and disasters across the country, while maintaining a focus on helping communities to strengthen their resilience,” said Jean-Philippe Tizi, Chief Emergency Officer, Canadian Red Cross. “We are very grateful for this ongoing support, and we thank Walmart, along with its employees and everyone who contributes to this annual campaign. Your contributions make a difference to those in urgent need."

“The Red Cross is vitally important in helping build strong communities during their greatest times of need. And we’re proud to support them and the incredible work they do as part of our journey to become a regenerative company,” said Rob Nicol, Vice President Communications and Corporate Affairs. “Along with our Associates across the country, we’re gearing up for another successful campaign, so we encourage everyone to give generously.”

Walmart Canada is the largest corporate partner of the Canadian Red Cross. Over the past 18 years of the annual campaign, Walmart Canada, along with its Associates and customers have helped raise more than $60 million for the Red Cross.

If you would like to make a donation to support the campaign, you can do so in-store at any Walmart or on our donation page.