The following message was sent to the McDonald's USA System on October 3, 2024.

McDonald’s USA,

As we’ve seen over the past few days, our communities in the Southeast have been severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. While the full scope of the hardship continues to unfold, it is clear that our System’s support is deeply needed and is already being significantly felt.

We want to thank every person who has mobilized in recent days to support crew, Owner/Operators and our local communities. In particular, thank you to our Owner/Operators across the Atlanta, Bethesda, Columbus, and Nashville Field Offices who have stepped up in major ways to help with meal deliveries to local communities and collect relief funds for employees.

Here are a few updates since our last communication:

• Employee relief funds have been activated in the Southeast across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina to provide grants to impacted restaurant employees. If interested, you can contribute directly to the Southeast Owner/Operator Employee Relief Fund here.
• McDonald’s Corporation has donated $1 million to the American Red Cross and Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves communities in times of disaster and crises. These funds will support both organizations' efforts to provide critical on-the-ground relief in response to Hurricane Helene and other disasters that may emerge.
• Through in-kind donations over the coming days and weeks, we will look to contribute up to $500,000 directly to affected communities as a System, including the deployment of the McRig truck to serve free, hot meals to victims and first responders. The first stop is Asheville, North Carolina, where teams are already on the ground serving members of the community. We will be working with local officials to identify additional locations across Georgia and Florida.
• Suppliers, including Coca-Cola, Martin Brower and Armada, are partnering together to provide direct relief while also ensuring our restaurants are stocked and ready to serve our communities as they reopen their doors. 

Our local teams have provided direct employee support out into our restaurants assisting Owner/Operators with damage assessment and recovery efforts. Our greatest priority remains the safety and well-being of our people and easing stress on restaurant teams as they return to normal operations.

As a reminder, here are additional ways you can help: 

• Support the McDonald’s-specific Red Cross donation fund and click on the “Disaster Relief” designation. McDonald’s Corporation is an American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Partner providing support for U.S. and global disasters. 
• Donate to the McOpCo Emergency Relief Program supporting impacted McOpCo employees. 
• Make a donation to a RMHC Chapter impacted by the storm. 
• McDonald’s employees can submit a matching donation request through our employee giving program.

Our System shines brightest when we come together in service to those in need, and we're committed to supporting our impacted Owner/Operators, crew, and communities on their road to recovery.

Thank you again to everyone who has offered support in this time of need.
 

Myra Doria

National Field President,

McDonald's USA
 

Michael Gonda

SVP, Chief Impact Officer, 
North America