Sanderson Farms Donates $2 Million to Disaster Relief Efforts

"Sanderson Farms has vital facilities in several communities impacted by the recent hurricanes, and our chicken is sold and shipped to customers in both Puerto Rico and Mexico," said Joe F. Sanderson, Jr., CEO and Chairman of the Board of Sanderson Farms. "We are saddened that these hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and wildfires have directly impacted our neighbors, many of whom are our business partners and loyal customers. We are committed to doing everything that we can to assist the recovery efforts during this time of great need."

Nearly 16,000 Red Cross disaster workers have been mobilized to support relief efforts following hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate. In the past nine weeks, the Red Cross has provided over 1.3 million overnight stays at emergency shelters in eight states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Red Cross has served more than 6.7 million meals and snacks, and provided more than 5.7 million relief items to people in need.

In addition, the Red Cross has over 470 workers in California where more than 27,900 overnight stays have been provided to people seeking refuge from wild fires in 30 Red Cross shelters. The organization is providing support in Mexico where media reports more than 153,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged. The American Red Cross works closely with the Mexican Red Cross to provide humanitarian aid and assistance during large emergencies and is committing $100,000 toward the Mexican earthquake relief effort. In addition, American Red Cross disaster specialists are on standby to assist.

"Thanks to the generosity of donors such as Sanderson Farms the Red Cross can respond immediately to disasters like hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and the California wildfires with food, shelter and the necessary humanitarian supplies to ensure people are safe," said Mike Ryan, VP of Development at the American Red Cross. "We are grateful for Sanderson Farms' ongoing support as we work together to provide hope and help to people in need."

Samaritan's Purse has deployed disaster response specialists to areas hit hardest by the hurricanes, including Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico, and Dominica. Throughout five sites in Texas and four in Florida, more than 11,000 volunteers have joined together in response to over 5,500 homeowner requests for help – clearing debris, removing downed trees, and cleaning out flood-damaged homes. The organization is preparing to begin home rebuilding projects that will continue over the next two years. 

"Samaritan's Purse is grateful to Sanderson Farms for their generous donation that will support the relief work we are doing in Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean," said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse. "Because of their generosity, we will be able to help more families devastated by these catastrophic hurricanes." 

Samaritan's Purse has airlifted more than 546 tons of critical supplies to the Caribbean, providing emergency relief in St. Maarten, Turks and Caicos, Dominica, Puerto Rico, Antigua, and Barbuda. The international relief organization is delivering crucial aid via helicopter to remote Puerto Rican villages that have been isolated by mudslides and debris. Essential items, such as hygiene kits, blankets, water filters, and rolls of heavy-duty plastic sheeting for emergency shelter, are being flown in to Puerto Rico regularly by a DC-8 cargo jet. 

On the Caribbean island of Dominica, an estimated 75 percent of homes are considered uninhabitable. Samaritan's Purse has distributed heavy-duty tarps to more than 10,000 households. Medical personnel, equipment, and supplies were sent to Dominica to help meet some of the island's critical needs. Throughout the Caribbean, Samaritan's Purse has installed ten community water filtration units. Many of these systems use reverse osmosis technology to convert sea water to fresh, drinking water. In Barbuda, Samaritan's Purse is providing the only clean water available on the island. 

"Millions of our neighbors, partners, customers, and friends continue to suffer from the effects of these natural disasters," said Lampkin Butts, President and COO of Sanderson Farms. "In times of devastation and crisis, it is most important to focus on helping people rebuild their lives and their communities. We will continue to help where we can as our neighbors continue the recovery efforts." 

For more information about Red Cross relief efforts, visit www.redcross.org, or to learn more about the work being done by Samaritan's Purse, visit https://www.samaritanspurse.org.

Digital Press Kit: http://pr.cirlot.com/sanderson-farms-donates-2-million-to-disaster-relief-efforts/

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

About Samaritan's Purse
Samaritan's Purse responds to the physical and spiritual needs of individuals in crisis situations. Led by Franklin Graham, Samaritan's Purse works in more than 100 countries to provide aid to victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution. For more information about how you can help or to volunteer with Samaritan's Purse, go to spvolunteernetwork.org. Donations to help with the flood relief efforts can be made at samaritanspurse.org.

About Sanderson Farms    
Sanderson Farms, Inc., founded in 1947, is engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food items. Employing more than 14,000 employees in operations spanning five states and 14 different cities, Sanderson Farms is the third largest poultry producer in the United States. As a company, Sanderson Farms is committed to adopting a fresh approach in everything that we do. Not only where products are concerned, but companywide as well. Though the company has grown in size, it still adheres to the same hometown values of honesty, integrity and innovation that were established when the Sanderson family founded the company back in 1947.

SOURCE Sanderson Farms, Inc.