Canadian Red Cross, Walmart Canada launch 20th annual campaign

June 29 marks the beginning of the 20th annual giving campaign for the Canadian Red Cross in collaboration with Walmart Canada. For the next month, Walmart customers can donate to Red Cross at the checkout in stores across Canada. Funds raised will go toward disaster relief and preparedness, which may include emergency lodging, clothing, food, personal hygiene and other items.

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. In addition to the funds raised in stores, Walmart Canada will also contribute $1 million to kick off the campaign and help communities in need.

Over the past year, Walmart Canada and the Walmart Foundation have provided support for:

•  The Hurricane Fiona in Atlantic Canada Appeal, with a donation of USD$100,000  from the Walmart Foundation, with an additional $83,000 raised in stores across Atlantic Canada.
• USD$100,000 each for the 2023 Alberta Fires Appeal and Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada Fires Appeal from the Walmart Foundation.

“The Canadian Red Cross has been busy across the country working in support of communities responding to floods and fires, which highlights the importance of emergency preparedness, response and recovery,” said Amy Avis, chief of emergencies at the Canadian Red Cross. “We are grateful for the continued support from Walmart Canada and for its commitment to working alongside Red Cross in building resilient communities. Together, we are helping people when they need it most.”

“For 20 years, our national fundraising campaigns have helped the Red Cross respond when disaster strikes,” said Rob Nicol, vice-president, corporate affairs and communications at Walmart Canada. “It’s been an exceptionally challenging year so far with numerous floods and fires raging across the country and we hope this year’s campaign will provide important funds to help Canadians when they need us most.”

Walmart Canada is the largest corporate partner of the Canadian Red Cross. Over the past 20 years of the annual campaign, Walmart Canada, along with its associates and customers, have helped raise more than $66 million, making this the most successful corporate campaign for the Red Cross.