GM to Assist Those Affected by Gustav and Ike

The GM Foundation is making a $100,000 contribution to Feeding America, which is distributing food and emergency supplies through its food bank network to families in the affected areas. Feeding America, formerly America’s Second Harvest, is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity, with a network that serves more than 25 million Americans each year.

In addition, GM has also donated cash and 13 HUMMER vehicles this year (44 donations since 2004) to chapters of the American Red Cross across the United States to strengthen their emergency preparation and disaster response capability. These donated vehicles are available for deployment to the areas affected by Gustav and Ike. GM’s cash and vehicle contributions to the Red Cross for its U.S. relief efforts now totals more than $2.3 million.

In advance of both Gustav and Ike, OnStar activated its “Crisis Assist” service for all OnStar subscribers in the counties and states most impacted by the storms. OnStar provided about 5 5,000 assistance calls, 12,000 routing calls, and downloaded 365,000 hands-free calling minutes (paid and complimentary) into subscriber vehicles so they could contact l oved ones or complete other essential calls. OnStar’s contribution to those “Crisis Assist” services are valued at about $150,000. And “Crisis Assist” is still active in areas affected by Hurricane Ike in Texas and Louisiana, supporting our subscribers as they migrate back to their homes.

“GM has a long tradition of responding to such emergencies quickly and decisively,” said Rod Gillum, GM Vice President and Chairman, GM Foundation. “We’re always ready to assist our relief partners is providing food, water, medicine and other resources to those in need.” -General Motors