Companies donate millions to Texas flood relief efforts

TEXAS, USA — As the search for victims of Texas flash floods continues, companies from across the state and the country are donating to relief efforts in Central Texas. 

Over 100 people are confirmed dead due to the storms and 160 people are still missing, officials announced Tuesday. Every day, North Texans are answering the call to help, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to fundraisers, including Tegna’s own TEGNA Texas Flood Relief Fund, which raised $90,000 in 24 hours. 

Several companies have also stepped up to the plate in recent days, donating millions of dollars to the recovery effort. Here’s a round-up of all the donations WFAA has received notice of, so far: 

The Butt family, H-E-B and the H.E. Butt foundation pledged $5 million to relief efforts in Central Texas, the company announced Tuesday. The company will donate $2 million to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. The rest of the donation will go to the American Red Cross, Texas Search and Rescue, and the Salvation Army, the company said in a press release. 

Plus, H-E-B is distributing gift cards throughout impacted communities and to nonprofits such as the United Way of Concho Valley in San Angelo and school districts, including Ingram ISD, the release states. 

In addition to these monetary donations, H-E-B is currently on the ground, feeding first responders through its mobile kitchen and donating gift cards, food, water and cleaning supplies to affected areas, the company said. 

Texas-based jewelry retailer Kendra Scott announced a donation to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, aiming to help families and communities as they begin the difficult process of recovery.

“Texas is our home, and we stand with our neighbors during this difficult time,” Kendra Scott said in a post to Facebook. “We are devastated by the recent flooding in Kerrville and throughout Central Texas, and the heartbreaking and unimaginable loss experienced by so many.”

In addition to the monetary donation, the company’s foundation announced it will donate 100% of the proceeds from all sales of its Everlyne bracelets to the recovery efforts. 

Todd Graves, the Dallas-connected owner of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, donated $1 million to flood relief efforts, the restaurant chain announced. 

Graves donated $1 million to the American Red Cross, which is providing critical care in Texas Hill Country in the aftermath of the floods, including emergency shelters, mental health support, cleanup and relief supplies, financial aid, and travel assistance. 

“Our hearts break as we witness the devastating impact of the flooding in Kerrville and the surrounding Communities. We’re deeply saddened by the lives impacted and the loved ones lost, and our hearts and prayers go out to everyone impacted,” Graves said.

The Cowboys, Texans and NFL foundation came together to make a $1.5 million donation to provide immediate assistance and long-term help to victims of the floods. 

The Dallas Cowboys made a $500,000 donation to support victims of the deadly flooding in Central Texas, the team announced Sunday. 

Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas, is contributing $100,000 to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. 

“Our hearts are with the Kerr County community and all those affected as they recover from these floods,” Tom Fiorenzi, Shiner’s director of brewery and distillery operations, said. “As a fellow small town, we in Shiner feel a deep need to stand with those affected and offer our support. We also want to give a huge thank-you to all the first responders and volunteers who have worked over the last several days to support the community.”

Dallas-based AT&T is contributing $200,000 to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country’s Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, the company announced in a press release. 

The company is also matching all employee contributions to the fund and has mobilized disaster recovery teams to help restore connectivity in the area, the release states. 

Verizon is donating $100,000 to Texas Search and Rescue to aid in their search, rescue and recovery efforts, the company announced in a press release. 

The Verizon Frontline Crisis Response Team provided low-earth satellite devices to the area to aid in drone search and recovery operations, the company said.  

“Our hearts go out to those impacted by the heartbreaking scale of the Central Texas floods,” said Michelle R. Miller, senior vice president at Verizon. “We are committed to providing the resources and connectivity our neighbors need for safety and recovery. This donation and relief offer are how we can help when it matters most.”

Both Verizon and AT&T are waiving call, text and data usage incurred around the time of the flash floods and the weeks after, the companies said. 

The Galleria will donate 100% of admissions to the Galleria Ice Skating Center from Tuesday, July 8, and Tuesday, July 15, to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, the center announced in a press release. 

Trademark Property Company, which manages the Galleria, will match the funds raised at 100%, the release states.