ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Whether it's a tornado, a flood, or a fire, disasters can strike at any time. NEWS10 teamed up with Price Chopper/Market 32 to support the Red Cross and their disaster relief efforts.
Every time you shop at any Price Chopper/Market 32 location throughout the month of August or September, you can "Round Up at the Register" and make a donation to the Red Cross. Last year, the campaign raised more than $140,000 in one month.
But with the need growing as the Red Cross responds to more disasters, "Round Up at the Register" has been expanded to two months this year.
Mona Golub, VP Communications & Public Affairs, Price Chopper/Market 32, said, "This is a wonderful example of a way that people in the midst of their everyday lives, doing their shopping, can be able to contribute as they would like to, to help people. We like to think this has become a very trusted channel through which people can make a donation knowing that 100% of it goes directly to those in need."
Local Red Cross volunteers recently spent weeks helping communities hit by tornadoes in Rome and parts of the Capital Region, with damage they're not used to seeing in our area.
The first step is making sure everyone has safe shelter and food.
Josh Moskowitz, Regional Disaster Officer of Eastern New York, who oversaw disaster relief efforts in Rome, shared some ways they were able to help. "In these communities we had a lot of large apartment buildings that didn't have power or gas, so we were able to bring them hot meals and cold water throughout the course of the week until they had the power turned back on."
He and other volunteers are now getting ready to respond to Tropical Storm Debby and the devastating flooding being seen in South Carolina.
If you would like to help out, you can round up your change to the nearest dollar the next time you shop at Price Chopper/Market 32. All proceeds will go to Red Cross disaster relief efforts. Price Chopper will match the first $10,000 raised.
