MOLINE, Ill. — On Friday, September 3rd, 2021 Deere and Company, the Quad Cities' largest employer, is sending relief to its employees near Thibodaux, Louisiana after Hurricane Ida.
Several planes are set to be filled with food, water, and building supplies like hammers, nails, tarps and duct tape. More than 300 Deere and Company employees and their families have been impacted by the life-altering storm.
"Employee concerns sprung up organically and we brought them together to form this team that could then marshal the resources we need, leverage the resources of Deere and get supplies to them as soon as possible," said Wallas Wiggins, Vice President of Global Supply Management for Deere and Company.
PHOTOS: Deere and Company sends relief to Louisiana after Hurricane Ida
In addition to food, water and building supplies, Deere and Company says its sending COVID-19 test kits and other medical supplies to help with the relief amid the ongoing pandemic.
Deere and Company's Thibodaux, Louisiana operation suffered significant damage after the hurricane. On Saturday, Deere and Company executives plan to gather as many employees who work at the Thibodaux plant as possible to hear about the ongoing needs they have and hear how the company plans to support them.
As of Friday, September 3rd, John Deere and Company has allocated:
- 25,000 square feet of tarps
- 24,000 nails
- Four cases of oil for generators
- 100 rolls of duct tape
- 150 first aid kits
- 500 gallons of bleach
- Gloves, hammers, flash lights
- 42,000 pounds of water
- 50 cases of energy bars
- Internet access for employees to connect with family for communication