Responding to Urgent Community Needs
Disasters
An important part of our community commitment is showing up when support is needed most—especially during natural disasters. We faced a particularly challenging year in 2024, with several major natural disasters, including back-to-back hurricanes.
Hurricane Beryl, the first major hurricane in 2024, caused widespread and sustained power outages in Texas where we have many Stores and one of our newest distribution centers. Soon after, Hurricane Helene struck Florida and the Southeast. Many of our Associates evacuated, lost power, or suffered property damage. To support Hurricane Helene relief efforts, Ross donated $400,000 to the American Red Cross, and Ross and dd’s DISCOUNTS Stores across six states in the Southeast raised an additional $27,000 from our generous Customers to aid recovery. Relief efforts in the area became particularly difficult when Hurricane Milton struck the same communities in quick succession.
The challenges continued into January 2025 with the tragic wildfires in Southern California. Given our Company’s history and presence in California, the disaster hit especially close to home. Ross donated a total of $850,000 to local and national organizations, including the American Red Cross, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. Ross and dd’s DISCOUNTS Stores across Southern California also raised funds to support the Red Cross’ wildfire relief efforts, collecting more than $100,000 from our caring Customers in just 11 days.
For our Buying Office Associates, especially those in Los Angeles who witnessed this tragedy in their own neighborhood, the impact was personal. Associates volunteered with our community partners to sort and send boxes of clothing, personal care products, and toys to impacted communities.
The willingness and dedication of our Associates and Customers to join us in supporting the community in a time of critical need was inspirational.