ATLANTA, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Home Depot^® Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Home Depot, today announced it has created a $1 million weather impact fund to aid relief, recovery and rebuilding efforts in response to the recent storms throughout the Southeast and Midwest United States, and in expectation of continuing violent storms throughout the spring season.

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As a part of this commitment, The Home Depot Foundation is donating $250,000 to the American Red Cross for immediate relief needs in response to yesterday's tornadoes and storms that caused serious damage through the Southeast.  Throughout the month, the Foundation has been responding with donations to nonprofits that are assisting communities affected by recent severe weather in St. Louis, southern Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa.  Future funding will be deployed to local stores, communities and nonprofits as needed.  

"This spring has seen an extraordinary spate of storms and tornadoes that have devastated many parts of the country, and at this early stage of the season, it's likely to be one of the worst springs in history in terms of storm damage and destruction.  We are a part of these communities and it is our responsibility to help – not only with the needs today, but as these communities start rebuilding," said Frank Blake, chairman and CEO of The Home Depot.

In addition to funding, Team Depot, the Company's associate-led volunteer force, has been mobilized locally to help with relief and recovery efforts.

In addition to today's announcement, The Home Depot is also a member of the American Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP).  The Company's annual $500,000 contribution to the ADGP  enables the Red Cross to respond immediately to the needs of individuals and families affected by disaster anywhere in the United States.

Separately, The Homer Fund, a charity for The Home Depot associates in need of emergency financial assistance, has begun helping associates and their families affected by these storms.  

The Home Depot Foundation donates funds and volunteer hours to non-profit organizations to help make homes more affordable and comfortable through necessary repairs and modifications.  In 2011, the Foundation announced a special focus on serving veterans with a three-year, $30 million initiative to address their critical housing needs. 

Since its formation in 2002, The Home Depot Foundation has granted more than $270 million to nonprofit organizations improving homes and lives in local communities.  To learn more and see our associates in action, visit www.homedepotfoundation.org, follow us on Twitter @homedepotfdn, and like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/homedepotfoundation.

SOURCE The Home Depot Foundation