At H-E-B, providing aid in times of need is the cornerstone of our Helping Here and Spirit of Giving philosophies. Along with the rest of the world, we’re witnessing with heavy hearts the senseless violence and humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine. H-E-B stands with the people of Ukraine, and to show our solidarity and to help during this time of great need, H-E-B will work with nonprofit organizations providing critical aid to the Ukrainian people.
In total, H-E-B, through its monetary support and fundraising, and H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt will commit $1 million to assist our nonprofit partners.
Since the armed conflict erupted in the eastern European country, customers from across Texas have asked H-E-B for ways they can help. H‑E‑B and Central Market stores across Texas have launched an in-store donation campaign to raise funds to support Save the Children, an organization working to meet the urgent needs of affected children and their families in Ukraine and across the region. At checkout, customers can support Save the Children by making monetary donations at the register for $1, $3, and $5.
Along with funds from the donation campaign, H-E-B has dedicated an additional $100,000 to Save the Children. H-E-B’s gift along with support from the donation campaign will go toward the organization’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, which helps provide children and families with immediate aid such as food, water, hygiene kits, baby items, winter coats, and cash assistance, as well as assisting refugees in asylum centers that provide educational, informational, and psychosocial assistance, as well as offer care to unaccompanied and separated children.
H-E-B also committed $100,000 to UNICEF, which is operating in Ukraine to support Ukrainian children and families. As part of their outreach, UNICEF has protection mobile teams reaching children with medical supplies, mental health support, and protection services; providing life-saving medical items for children and mothers at hospitals in the most affected regions; and activated one-stop safe spaces along major routes in six neighboring countries that help mothers and children fleeing the violence and provide protection to unaccompanied and separated children.
Another $100,000 will support the Global FoodBanking Network’s Emergency Response Fund, an organization working with the European Food Banks Federation and its network of 300 food banks in 29 countries to deliver food to people inside Ukraine and in neighboring countries to support Ukrainian refugees.
Locally, H-E-B gifted $50,000 to Ukrainian San Antonio, a nonprofit working to gather supplies and funds for Razom for Ukraine, an organization providing urgent humanitarian aid in war torn parts of Ukraine. With help from Ukrainian San Antonio, Razom’s emergency response program is contributing medicine and other medical supplies to civilians and working with nonprofits in Ukraine to source, sort, and distribute humanitarian aid to families in various hot spots across the country.
“Our hearts go out to the Ukrainian people as they fight to protect their homes and flee the violence that has come to their country,” said Winell Herron, H-E-B Group Vice President of Public Affairs, Diversity and Environmental Affairs. “Many Texans and H-E-B Partners have connections to Ukraine, and we want to do our part to show our support. We hope H‑E‑B’s donations, along with giving from our loyal customers, will help these dedicated organizations provide important aid to children and families affected by this conflict. We pray for an end to the fighting and that peace comes soon to the people of Ukraine.”
In addition to the company’s giving, H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt also made a personal donation totaling $500,000 to the International Committee of the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders, and USA for United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Even though this conflict is unfolding thousands of miles away, its impact is being felt around the world, including here in Texas. This needless act of aggression against the Ukrainian people by the Russian government continues to strain supply chains and has compounded the inflationary forces we’ve experienced over the last several months, accelerating the cost for goods and services everywhere, especially the rise of the price of gas. Russia’s attack on Ukraine also puts at risk many products and food staples the two nations produce, exaggerating pandemic-related supply shortages and escalating rising food prices that continue to intensify due to inflation.
Given the challenging circumstances retailers are operating under, H-E-B, which offers the most unique and distinctive products available in Texas, works hard throughout the year to be one of the lowest priced grocers in the nation. We remain resolute in our commitment to keep prices as affordable as possible in the state, an effort we’ve championed over many years.
The following articles provide more insight into the economic challenges resulting from ongoing inflation and the Russian invasion of Ukraine:
War in Ukraine sparks a commodity crisis
Since 1905, H‑E‑B has demonstrated its commitment to individuals and communities in crisis by donating financial support and emergency supplies, as well as providing efficient ways for customers to assist those affected by disaster. At H-E-B, we stand with the Ukrainian people and pray for an end to the war in Ukraine.
