Mercadona strengthens its commitment to those affected by the DANA

Mercadona, committed to those affected by the DANA, strengthens the measures taken since the onset of the disaster under one premise: "Do whatever is necessary and for as long as necessary, because now is the time for closeness," as stated by Laura Cruz, Director of Social Action at the company and coordinator of the specialized human team in donations, works, and logistics at Mercadona, responsible for managing all collaboration actions.

Since the beginning of the disaster, the company has been implementing measures mainly focused on donating essential products to social entities for affected people (food, equipment, materials, etc.), reaching over 300 tons delivered in coordination with its suppliers; supporting affected employees; and collaborating with authorities by providing various resources.

Regarding donations, Mercadona is providing food to all the social dining rooms it collaborates with, located in the affected areas and surroundings, and assessing their needs beyond the food they may require.

The company maintains constant contact with the Valencia Food Bank to address emerging needs, to which it has donated, out of the total 300 tons in collaboration with its suppliers, more than 10 trailers of food.

Additionally, in collaboration with its suppliers, it has been supplying the "Solidarity Kitchen" program by Ricard Camarena with fresh products and preserves, from where 10,000 hot meals have been prepared daily at the facilities of the supplier Frescos Delisano and 4,500 meals daily from its restaurant.

All these actions add to those carried out at the beginning of this disaster, such as making two company stores available from which donations were channeled, purchasing and delivering 1,200 pallets of water, and delivering essential food to meet the needs of people at various points set up in the province of Valencia (L'Alquería del Basket, the North station, the La Petxina sports complex, and the Cheste Town Hall).

For its employees, the company, which informed all directly affected employees to prioritize what is truly important (family, home, etc.) without affecting their pay and without recovering the time spent on it, has facilitated mobility so they can travel to their workplace and has activated 1,000 volunteer employees from other departments of the company to assist in the adaptation and cleaning tasks of the stores, with the aim of opening as soon as possible and serving the neighbors.

Regarding collaboration with authorities, among the latest measures taken, the company has offered the Ministry of Social Services advice and logistical support, as well as a 7,000 m2 warehouse in Picassent (Valencia) to channel donations, provided the space of L'Alquería del Basket to army units deployed in the area as a base of operations, and lent transport vehicles for aid distribution.