The Coca‑Cola Foundation and Coca‑Cola System Step Up to Support Tornado Relief in Kentucky and Other Impacted States

The Coca‑Cola Foundation today awarded a $400,000 grant to support American Red Cross relief efforts following the string of deadly tornadoes that ripped across six central U.S. states on Dec. 11.

The American Red Cross and its partners are working to help those in need and make sure everyone has a safe place to stay, food to eat, critical relief supplies, emotional support and comfort in the face of one of the most devastating tornado outbreaks in years. At least 24 tornadoes touched down in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee, killing nearly 100 people and damaging or destroying thousands of homes and buildings along their path.

The Coca‑Cola Company’s North America Operating Unit (NAOU) also has contributed $100,000 to the American Red Cross and $50,000 to disaster relief agency, Good360, to support both immediate relief efforts and long-term recovery in hard-hit communities.

Coca‑Cola bottling partners across the impacted region have donated thousands of cases of bottled water and other Coca‑Cola products to victims and first responders as search and rescue operations and cleanup efforts continue. 

Among the local bottlers offering support is Kentucky-based Clark Beverage Group, which was scheduled to host its employee holiday party on Dec. 12. With the event canceled, the team delivered all food they had ordered – enough to feed 300 people – to the Red Cross shelter at a local high school. Clark, which has been a fixture in the local community for more than a century, also has donated 3,500 cases of beverages and pitched in to help clean-up efforts in their community.