The Nestlé Purina Hereford plant went into overdrive when massive flooding struck the Hill Country recently — destroying homes and campsites and catching families off guard, and sweeping people along with cats and dogs away from their safe homes.
Torrential rains during the early morning hours of Friday, July 4, led to the rapid surge of the Guadalupe River, causing flash floods across the Texas Hill Country region. The devastating flooding across Central Texas has claimed more than 100 lives and left hundreds more displaced.
The former Merrick Pet Food plant in Hereford was bought out by Purina eight years ago, and since that time, they have contributed their pet food to many disaster areas nationwide.
“Tragedy struck a little too close to home,” said Hector Vallejo, plant manager for the pet food plant, which employs around 300 workers and feeds thousands of hungry pets.
“We donated 10,500 pounds of Bistro Soiree Cat food to the shelters helping the now temporarily homeless pets. Purina donated $25,000 to Greater Good Charities,” Vallejo said. “We are happy to be part of the community and share.” The Hereford location also donated $10,000 in partnership with the charity group and has a Purina trust organization that added the $25,000.
The trust organization is nationwide and supports disaster relief for communities.
The transportation was facilitated partly through Greater Good Charities, which is on the ground and collaborating with local agencies in Texas to provide emergency aid to people and pets. The global nonprofit is deploying essential supplies to those who have been displaced and to community partners assisting with the relief efforts.
Greater Good Charities is a global nonprofit to support the organization’s disaster relief efforts across the region. Purina’s donation will help fund essential humanitarian and pet supplies for communities impacted by the floods. In addition to providing this grant, Purina is working with Greater Good Charities to provide several thousand pounds of Purina pet food for disaster relief, according to information provided by Purina.
Vallejo said the food was loaded in trucks and sent to the flood site in July after the flooding took place. “We have donated in other disasters, too,” he said. He mentioned the hurricanes in Houston, prairie fires in the Panhandle and other disasters as well.
“We sent enough cat food to feed 14,000 cats,” he said. “At our plant in Hereford, we produce wet and dry cat and dog food.” They also produce some of Merrick Pet Food treats under the Merrick name, which is now owned by Purina.
Vallejo said they also try to help out local shelters with donating food. A new trust fund is being set up where pet rescues can apply for assistance.
“Our hearts are with the families and communities experiencing irreparable loss due to the devastating flooding across central Texas,” said Kim Beardslee, Director of Community Affairs for Purina. “Purina has a long history of supporting people and pets in the wake of natural disasters, and we’re proud to partner with Greater Good Charities to support their life-saving work.”
In times of natural disaster, Purina provides timely support to people and pets in need by working with its nonprofit partners to deliver pet food, litter and funding to areas that are being impacted. To learn more about causes Purina supports, visit www.purina.com/about-purina/partnerships.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Hereford Purina plant donates funds and 10,500 pounds of pet food to Texas flood recovery
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
