Cause Marketing/ Community Programs

MINNEAPOLIS --Target announced that it has donated $200,000 in cash to the American Red Cross to support tornado relief efforts in the Southern United States. An additional donation of more than $75,000 will include product and relief kits containing hygiene and food items that will be distributed to hardest-hit areas.

Target was among the major U.S. companies who were quick to step up after the wave of tornadoes brought unprecedented death and destruction to communities throughout the Southeast. Target donated $200,000 in cash to the American Red Cross to support tornado relief efforts and made an additional donation valued at more than $75,000 that included product and relief kits, which contained hygiene and food items for distribution in the hardest-hit areas.

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Publix Super Markets announced that it has established a program to offer its customers and associates a way to directly assist those areas in the South affected by recent tornadoes and severe weather. Customers may donate any amount by adding it to their grocery totals when checking out at Publix registers. Collected money will be channeled through the American Red Cross and designated specifically for the Southern Storms disaster relief efforts. The program will continue for a few weeks, based on customer response.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Winn-Dixie Stores announced that beginning April 30, guests in any of its 484 store locations throughout its operating area can help their neighbors affected by the tornadoes and severe storms that swept across the South this week by simply donating through the “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” program.

ATLANTA -- The Home Depot Foundation announced that it has created a $1 million weather impact fund to aid relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts in response to the recent storms throughout the Southeast and Midwest United States, and in expectation of continuing violent storms throughout the spring season.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart announced that through its charitable arm, the Walmart Foundation, it is committing $1 million in cash and in-kind donations to support emergency relief efforts following the recent Southern storms, Midwest floods and Texas wildfires.

Some 115 Simon Property Group malls from coast to coast will celebrate Mother’s Day on May 6, when the nation’s largest mall owner hosts “National Mom's Nite Out.”

While the activities vary across the Simon portfolio of properties, the common theme is to indulge mothers with mini-massages, style presentations, food and beverage sampling, and other networking activities. The event is free for moms of all ages.

Atlanta -- The Home Depot Foundation announced that it has created a $1 million weather impact fund to aid relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts in response to the recent storms throughout the Southeast and Midwest United States, and in expectation of continuing violent storms throughout the spring season.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot is launching the 2011 Green Business Challenge in partnership with Local Governments for Sustainability USA (ICLEI) and elected officials from across the United States.

Troy, Mich. -- Oakland Mall is using social networking as a tool to get shoppers involved this Mother's Day to benefit Moms at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), a non-profit agency dedicated to assisting the homeless and getting them back on their feet.