Shopping Center Industry Hurricane Katrina Relief Effort

In the wake of the destruction from Hurricane Katrina, ICSC members have once again demonstrated that shopping center professionals are caring and compassionate citizens of the world as they have organized and are coordinating relief efforts on behalf of their companies, employees, customers, and suppliers. Thousands of shopping centers have established donations centers and are collecting food, water, and money to immediately aid the victims and help in the long-term recovery efforts. Similarly, our retail partners have undertaken fund raising efforts on their own. Wal-Mart, Target, Lowes, Home Depot, and Office Depot have each donated or pledged to raise at least one million dollars while other retail chains are raising funds and supplies on a smaller yet equally important scale. In short, shopping centers and retailers, regardless of size, are answering the call for help.

ICSC's staff has also been very busy coordinating relief efforts with several government agencies and philanthropic organizations. On behalf of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), a Division of The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICSC is coordinating an effort to identify and catalog empty shopping center and retail space in the impacted areas that could potentially be used for immediate, medium and long-term housing for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. FEMA has estimated that more than 500,000 people will be in need of housing. ICSC has partnered with DHS on numerous projects since the agency was established following the terrorist attacks on the United States. The fact that DHS has come to rely upon ICSC for assistance in the time of a crisis is a testament to the strength of our organization and our industry.

The American Red Cross, which has benefited greatly from ICSC and its members generosity during past disasters has also contacted ICSC about coordinating industry relief efforts. If you'd like to contribute directly to the American Red Cross click here.