The Atlanta-based Home Depot Foundation has announced $4.2 million in grants to seven nonprofits in support of disaster preparedness and response, food security and clean water concerns, and long-term recovery efforts ahead of the 2022 hurricane season.

The grants include support totaling more than $2.6 million for the American Red Cross, ToolBank Disaster Services, and other grantees to help fund disaster preparedness and immediate relief efforts and $900,000 to Habitat for Humanity International for after-disaster repairs and storm-resilient rebuilding for affected homeowners. Other grants of undisclosed amounts to Operation Blessing, World Central Kitchen, Team Rubicon, and Convoy of Hope will fund emergency meal kits, the distribution of meals in disaster areas, and long-term recovery programs.

In addition, Home Depot’s employee “associate volunteer force” will prepare 7,000 disaster relief kits to be distributed to 570 stores in 17 states within 48 hours of a disaster, according to the foundation.

“Every year, the Home Depot Foundation invests in disaster preparedness and response efforts,” said foundation executive director Shannon Gerber. “We also understand immediate relief is just the beginning for so many families, and that is why we…support long-term recovery for communities rebuilding after a natural disaster.”

(Photo credit: GettyImages/ParkerDeen)