The W.M. Keck Foundation donated $250,000 to the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles in support of the organization’s catastrophic disaster preparedness efforts to shelter 250,000 people and serve two million meals per day for up to five days following a major disaster.

The grant will assist the Red Cross in developing partnership agreements with other non-profit and governmental agencies and also identify local vendors to increase feeding and sheltering capacity. These efforts will help ensure that the Red Cross’ catastrophic disaster relief efforts are efficient and comprehensive.

Paul Schulz, CEO of the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles thanked The W.M. Keck Foundation for its support. “A catastrophic disaster like the recent earthquake in Haiti is a powerful reminder of the need to be prepared. This generous gift will help the Red Cross in its efforts to help many thousands of people if a large magnitude earthquake or other major disaster strikes our area.”

The W.M. Keck Foundation was established in 1954 in Los Angeles by William Myron Keck, founder of The Superior Oil Company, with the goal of generating far-reaching benefits for humanity by supporting outstanding science, engineering and medical research, undergraduate education, and, in Southern California, community service projects that have a significant impact in addressing complex issues and problems.

For more information on how individuals, families, schools, businesses and other organizations can prepare, please visit www.preparela.org.

Tags: disaster preparedness