- Companies are offering support to their employees and others affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
- The deadly flames have burned thousands of acres and displaced hundreds of thousands.
- From planning a benefit concert to serving free Happy Meals, here’s what companies are doing.
Fires in Los Angeles have claimed 24 lives since Thursday, burned thousands of acres and homes and sent hundreds of thousands of people seeking shelter.
The disaster has caused many major companies to adjust their operations – and donate to relief efforts.
Here’s a rundown of the actions big businesses are taking after the fires.
Amazon
Amazon is donating $10 million to fire relief efforts in the Los Angeles area, the company said Monday. The funding will come from Amazon’s entertainment division, which includes Amazon MGM Studios, as well as Ring and Whole Foods Market.
Among Amazon’s donations so far are respirators and gloves for cleanup efforts for the American Red Cross, as well as food donations from Amazon Fresh for local groups feeding fire victims.
Apple
Apple CEO Tim Cook said Wednesday that the company would “donate to support victims and recovery efforts on the ground” in a post on X.
Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the size or other details of the donation.
Comcast NBCUniversal
Comcast NBCUniversal donated $10 million to relief efforts, the company announced Monday. Beneficiary organizations included the American Red Cross, the SoCal Fire Foundation for the Entertainment Industry, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.
“We stand ready to support our employees and the greater Los Angeles community as we recover and rebuild from these tragic events,” Comcast Chairman Brian Roberts said in a statement.
Disney
Hundreds of Disney employees, including CEO Robert Iger, had been evacuated from their homes since Monday, while 64 had lost their homes, The New York Times reported Tuesday. Disney has approved $15 million for “community services and rebuilding efforts,” the Times reported.
Production on the Disney film hasn’t slowed down, however, the Times reported. The company’s Burbank film operations are well away from the fires. Lots for Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Netflix and other entertainment providers are also not currently threatened by the fires.
Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Google and its philanthropic division “are supporting relief and recovery efforts with grant funding and an internal giving campaign for employee donations and matching company gifts,” the company said in a post Thursday.
The tech company also said it was providing details about the fires, such as the boundaries of affected areas, on Google Maps. She was also working with the Los Angeles Hotel Association so that search engine users affected by the fires could find cheap or discounted places to stay.
In addition to contributing a $15 million donation to relief efforts through Google’s philanthropic arm, Google.org, video giant YouTube will provide production facilities to affected creators after its Los Angeles office reopens.
It’s also planning future events to bring the community together, CEO Neal Mohan wrote on the company’s blog.
Live Nation
Entertainment company Live Nation is planning a benefit concert called “FireAid” for Jan. 30 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., Variety reported Friday.
While the lineup of performers is not yet public, proceeds from the concert will go toward rebuilding and supporting victims, as well as preparing for future wildfires, according to Variety.
Live Nation did not respond to a request for comment from BI.
Mattel
El Segundo, Calif.-based Mattel said in an Instagram post Sunday that it would support nonprofits doing wildfire relief work through the Mattel Children’s Foundation.
“Our thoughts are with all those who are suffering during this unprecedented crisis at our center,” the post said.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s restaurants in Southern California are giving away free Happy Meals to first responders and people who have had to leave their homes, according to a website the chain created for the offer. The deal is good through Thursday, and customers must use the McDonald’s app to order.
Paramount
Paramount is donating $1 million to organizations supporting firefighting and relief efforts, according to an internal memo sent by its co-CEOs on Friday and obtained by Business Insider.
The company is providing support to affected employees in the form of cash grants through its Employee Assistance Fund (EAF), as well as providing shelter and temporary accommodation.
Paramount will also match all employee donations to charities, including EAF, co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy and Brian Robbins wrote.
Netflix
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos announced that the disaster had affected “many” of its employees and creative partners.
As a result, Netflix is donating $10 million to five organizations: the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the California Community Fire Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, the Film and Television Fund, and the Community Entertainment Fund.
It is also helping affected employees with temporary housing and by double-matching all employee charitable contributions, Sarandos said.
Snap
Snap founder Evan Siegel, who grew up in the now-fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades, posted a love letter to Los Angeles on Monday, revealing his father’s house had been “burned to the ground on live TV.”
He also said more than 150 Snap employees had been displaced by the fires.
“Snap, Bobby, and I have already disbursed $5 million in immediate aid,” Spiegel wrote, referring to co-founder and CTO Bobby Murphy, “and we’re going to do more.” He added that the company was helping to feed evacuees and first responders and providing free space.
Starbucks
Starbucks is “temporarily offering catastrophic pay for any missed shifts” to employees whose stores are open but displaced by the fire, the coffee chain told Bloomberg on Tuesday.
Starbucks confirmed disaster payment to BI. The coffee chain is also closing stores in evacuation zones and continuing to pay employees — whom the company calls “partners” — based in those stores, a company spokesman said.
Partners have also provided coffee to first responders and shelters. On Monday, Starbucks also began offering free tall coffees to the first employees who stop into area stores.
“We are deeply proud of our partners,” the spokesperson said. “They continue to serve first responders and communities across LA where it is safe to do so.”
The aim
The big-box chain said it is using its supply chain “to expedite critical supplies to stores” in areas near the fires, a spokesman said. It’s also donating $1 million to groups that help firefighters and first responders and providing support to employees affected by the fires through the Target Team Member Giving Fund.
“Our hearts go out to the many people affected by the wildfires in California,” the spokesperson told BI.
Walmart
The Walmart Mobile Relief Kitchen is serving free hot meals through Sunday at Walmart’s Supercenter in Baldwin Park, Calif., east of Los Angeles, the chain said.
Walmart, along with Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation, have donated $2.5 million in aid to the relief effort.
“Over the past several days, Walmart stores in Southern California have donated food, water and gift cards to help first responders and shelters support people in need,” Walmart said.
