MOORESVILLE, N.C., Oct. 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Matthew continues to impact millions in the U.S., forcing thousands to seek emergency shelter, Lowe's announced today it will donate $500,000 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to help people affected by disasters like hurricanes, floods and countless other crises. Lowe's is working with its national nonprofit partner to provide both immediate and long-term support to local communities in the storm's path from eastern Florida, the Georgia coast and coastal South Carolina.

The donation to the Red Cross will help provide food, shelter and comfort to people impacted by the hurricane and countless other crises nationwide. In addition, Lowe's has activated its American Red Cross customer donation program in over 100 of its stores stretching from Florida to North Carolina to provide a convenient place for customers to make a donation. People also can make a contribution online via the Lowe's American Red Cross Online Donation Site.

"Hurricane Matthew is expected to significantly impact communities and disrupt millions of lives, including our Lowe's employees," said James Frison, Lowe's director of community relations. "Our thoughts are with those in the storm's path and Lowe's will continue to work with the Red Cross and our other partners to help families stay safe and get access to the necessary resources during and after the storm passes."

Lowe's has shipped more than 100 truckloads of critically needed supplies to the area. In the coming days and weeks, Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers will help with relief efforts in communities affected by the storm.

The Red Cross is on the ground in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina offering people a safe place to stay. As of Thursday night, more than 27,000 people took refuge in 200 Red Cross and community evacuation shelters—and this number is expected to grow. The Red Cross also has hundreds of disaster workers on the ground distributing much-needed humanitarian supplies to those impacted by the hurricane.

"The generosity of Lowe's enables the Red Cross to provide much-needed humanitarian supplies, relief and care to the people affected by Hurricane Matthew." said Don Herring, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. "These contributions, along with the support of the American public, ensure that the Red Cross is able to respond immediately with food and shelter during disaster relief efforts."

As a member of the Red Cross' Annual Disaster Giving Program, Lowe's pledges donations on an ongoing basis in advance of disasters to help ensure the Red Cross can take immediate action. Since partnering with the Red Cross in 1999, Lowe's and its customers have contributed more than $27 million for disaster relief. Donations to Red Cross Disaster Relief are used to help people affected by disasters big and small.

About Lowe's in the Community

Lowe's, a FORTUNE® 50 home improvement company, has a 50-year legacy of supporting the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. Since 2007, Lowe's and the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation together have contributed more than $250 million to these efforts, and for more than two decades Lowe's Heroes employee volunteers have donated their time to make our communities better places to live. To learn more, visit Lowes.com/SocialResponsibility or the Lowe's digital newsroom at newsroom.lowes.com.

About 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.

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SOURCE Lowe's Companies, Inc.

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