General Mills has been a long-standing leader in community calls for help in the face of natural disasters. In recent years the company has committed millions of dollars to communities affected by disasters, through contributions to both local and national disaster relief partners.
Past disaster relief support includes:
Morakot Typhoon: The General Mills Foundation donated $25,000 to the Red Cross International Response Fund to assist with the recovery in Taiwan following the devastating typhoon that killed more than 120 people and caused billions of dollars in damage.
Australian Wildfires: Responding to the worst wildfires in Australian history, the General Mills Foundation donated $25,000 to the Australian Red Cross bushfire appeal in February 2009.
Murfreesboro Tornado Relief: The General Mills Foundation contributed $10,000 to the Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross to support cleanup efforts and provide relief assistance in response to a category 4 tornado that hit Murfreesboro in April 2008.
Midwest Flood Relief: In response to the widespread flooding that hit the Midwest in June 2008, the General Mills Foundation contributed $25,000 to the Grant Wood Area Chapter of the American Red Cross in Cedar Rapids and another $25,000 to the Northeast Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross in Hannibal to help with flood relief.
China Earthquake: When the 7.9 magnitude earthquake hit China's Sichuan Province in May, 2008, the General Mills Foundation on behalf of General Mills China contributed $500,000 to the American Red Cross to support the earthquake response efforts led by The Red Cross Society of China.
2008 Hurricane Season: In the wake of hurricanes that have hit the Gulf Coast during the 2008 Hurricane Season the General Mills Foundation contributed $100,000 to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. In addition, $100,000 in General Mills Food products have been donated to Feeding America (formerly America's Second Harvest) to help replenish the supply of food at food banks in the Gulf region.
California Wildfires: In response to the 2007 wildfires that devastated parts of California, the General Mills Foundation contributed $25,000 to the American Red Cross to assist with relief efforts.
Southeastern Minnesota Flooding: In 2007, when widespread flash floods hit southeastern parts of Minnesota, General Mills and the General Mills Foundation responded with product donations and a $25,000 contribution to the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. This foundation established the Business Recovery Fund to help rebuild the businesses affected by the flooding.
Peru Earthquake Relief: When the devastating earthquake hit Peru in August 2007, General Mills contributed $15,000 to the American Red Cross International Response Fund. This support will help provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, and technical assistance to help those affected by the disaster.
I-35W Bridge Collapse: In response to the devastating collapse of the I-35W bridge in August of 2007, the General Mills Foundation contributed $50,000 to the American Red Cross. In addition, the General Mills Riverside Technical Center, just blocks away from the collapse site, opened its doors to rescue workers, providing them with food and a place to rest.