CHARLOTTE, N.C. , Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Truist Foundation announced today that it will provide an additional $500,000 to support relief and recovery efforts in communities most impacted by the historic devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, including in western North Carolina, bringing total contribution $1 million. Funds will go to the IT Disaster Resource Center, United Way Worldwide, the American Red Cross and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Atlantic Hurricane Season Recovery Fund.

“Many of the communities we serve are experiencing historic and catastrophic flooding, and millions of people still lack power or access to everyday necessities,” said Lynette Bell, president of the Truist Foundation. “The Truist Foundation supports trusted partners who are in the hardest-hit areas and are working tirelessly to restore power, cellular service and clear roads. We are committed to achieving our goal with additional funding to help people in affected communities gain access to the internet as quickly as possible – digitally and physically.”

In addition to technology and infrastructure support, including transforming trucks and trailers into Wi-Fi hotspots and connectivity centers, selected organizations will use grant funds to identify and address critical immediate community needs, such as access to food, shelter and health services. Part of the donation will go towards medium- and long-term reconstruction, as reported by disaster experts in cooperation with residents affected by natural disasters.

Last week, the Truist Foundation announced an initial grant of $500,000 to help prepare, respond and recover as quickly as possible in communities impacted by Helene. These funds – along with a $1 million grant from the Truist Foundation awarded earlier this year to the American Red Cross’s Annual Disaster Giving Program – helped the American Red Cross organize 10 disaster relief efforts in 10 states, provide 1,400 disaster workers , support for 70 shelters and the deployment of 45 emergency vehicles – with around twenty more on the way. The funds also helped provide food, shelter, emotional support, comfort kits and other immediate assistance to thousands of families and individuals affected by Helene.

About the Truista Foundation

The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose of inspiring and building better lives and communities. The Foundation, a private endowed foundation established in 2020 with an operating budget independent of Truist Financial Corporation, makes strategic investments in a broad range of nonprofit organizations focused on two primary areas: building career paths to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses to ensure that all communities have equal opportunities to develop. These areas of focus are embodied in the foundation’s leading initiatives, the Inspire and Where It Starts awards. For more information, visit Truist.com/Foundation.

SOURCE Truista Foundation