Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. has made a $1 million donation of essential products to NAACP‘s Empowerment Programs to help black communities in need as a result of COVID-19 and recent civil unrest, it announced on Friday.
The NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization.
The Union-based retailer said the donation is part of its Bringing Home Everywhere program, a $10 million project that provides home products to communities most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
“Like so many, we are appalled and saddened by the scenes we have witnessed and the continued violence and injustice against members of the Black community,” Mark Tritton, CEO and president, Bed Bath & Beyond, said. “We make this $1 million donation to the NAACP to support its extraordinary work for the community and its long-standing action to tackle racial discrimination in this country. Together, we will provide essential help to those communities hardest hit by recent unrest and the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“A commitment to diversity and inclusion is at our core, but we recognize that we can and must do more. As we reflect on recent events, we pledge to continue listening, learning, and improving the way we support diversity and the communities we serve in the future,” Tritton added.
Nearly a month ago, the NAACP, in partnership with the African American Research Collaborative and the Equity Research and Innovation Center at Yale School of Medicine, presented new data on the impact of COVID-19 on Black communities. The poll of 604 African Americans found that since COVID-19 hit, 41% work from home, 36% lost a job or had a cut in hours, 31% do not have enough food or grocery money, 28% are having trouble paying their rent or mortgage, and 24% have applied for unemployment but not received it. This first-of-its-kind poll provides deep insights into how Black communities are impacted and responding to the pandemic.
“We welcome Bed Bath & Beyond’s support for the NAACP and the Black community. This $1 million donation of essential products will help communities in need and help bring home comforts to families across the nation who have suffered so much as a result of COVID-19 and recent unrest. We look forward to developing a long-standing relationship with Bed Bath & Beyond as we commit to the shared vision of eradicating racial injustice and discrimination,” Derrick Johnson, CEO and president, NAACP, said.
