Melaleuca Delivers Over $70,000 in Critical Aid After Hurricane Milton Strikes Florida

In response to Hurricane Milton’s devastating impact on Florida’s west coast, Melaleuca: The Wellness Company mobilized its relief efforts to deliver over $70,000 in essential supplies to affected communities throughout the Sunshine State.

Intensifying in just a few hours from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane, Hurricane Milton struck Florida only 14 days after Hurricane Helene had battered the entire Southeast. Despite the difficult conditions, Melaleuca continued to fulfill its mission of enhancing lives and providing disaster relief by responding to both storms.

Taking Care of the Melaleuca Family

When Hurricane Milton struck, many Melaleuca customers and Marketing Executives faced devastating losses. Some lost their entire homes, while others experienced significant damage to their homes and vehicles. Melaleuca immediately stepped in to support its extended family, providing essential Melaleuca products and financial gifts to help them through this difficult time.

Several customers said that Melaleuca’s help came at a moment when they felt completely overwhelmed, exhausted and devastated. They appreciated the gesture: a substantial credit in their Melaleuca shopping account and/or a surprise deposit in their bank account.

One customer says she spent the funds to buy groceries and prepare a meal with her family, which “created one moment of normalcy.” Another customer gratefully said the gift helped at a time when “we were just trying to get it together.” A third couldn’t believe that any company would go out of their way to help one of its shoppers.

These are just a few of the tender moments we had with those who lost so much from the storms. We listened to their heartbreaking situations and mourned with them. Moved by their stories, our Team Members gratefully supported them. We were inspired by their resilience. Impressed by their courage. And delighted to see that many of them were helping their neighbors.

This personalized approach to disaster relief reflected Melaleuca’s commitment to its customers and Marketing Executives, ensuring that members of the Melaleuca family receive direct support when they need it most.

Melaleuca Sends Relief in Wake of Hurricane Milton

Before the storm hit Florida, pallets of products were loaded in Melaleuca’s Knoxville distribution center, ready to be delivered as soon as word was given.

A large donation was given to Feeding Tampa Bay, which had previously received a donation from Melaleuca following Hurricane Helene. Feeding Tampa Bay is the region’s largest food bank and averages more than 264,000 meals each day through its network. Melaleuca’s donation helped the food bank restock its pantries after the region had been impacted by two major hurricanes.

“The products that Melaleuca delivered to Feeding Tampa Bay will support those impacted by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton and be put to good use right away,” said Jennifer Kilburg at Feeding Tampa Bay. “These storms along with their lengthy aftermath have caused a dramatic rise in food insecurity, so the need for our services has never been greater. We’re exhausting all avenues—meal kits, mobile food lines, soup kitchens, food warehouses, etc.— due to the immense need. We’re grateful for companies like Melaleuca that come to the rescue after natural disasters, helping us to take care of our community.”

Helping People Staying in Shelters

Additionally, American Red Cross shelters also received donations from Melaleuca.

“We thank Melaleuca: The Wellness Company for their willingness to donate their time, products and emergency supplies to helping exhausted families who are reeling from the one-two punch of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton,” said Nicole Sirak Irwin, regional CEO of the American Red Cross. “Because we’re living in a season of continuous response due to widespread loss and inconceivable damage, Melaleuca’s contributions to the American Red Cross mean so much. Their products are now helping those who are staying in shelters across the affected states. I wish we had even more corporate partners with the humanitarian spirit of Melaleuca.”  

“Melaleuca is timely and generous and always there to support and respond,” said Bryce Sitter, a regional philanthropy officer of the American Red Cross.

Milton’s Impact

Hurricane Milton’s destruction was unprecedented. It formed in the west of the Gulf of Mexico, growing from a Category 1 storm to a Cat 5 in just over 12 hours. After briefly decreasing in intensity to a Category 4 hurricane, it regained strength and became a Category 5 once again as it passed beyond the Yucatan Peninsula.

By the time it struck the Florida coast, it thankfully had downsized to a Category 3, but it still hit with deadly force, cutting a $30 billion path of destruction through the state. Even before making landfall, the hurricane spawned tornadoes throughout Florida that claimed several lives.

Based on barometric pressure, Hurricane Milton was the fifth-most-intense Atlantic hurricane in modern history. More than 250,000 Floridians registered for FEMA assistance on October 13—the most in a single day in United States history.

While successful evacuation efforts and a smaller-than-predicted storm surge helped limit casualties compared to Hurricane Helene, countless families in Florida have faced significant challenges from flooding, property damage, and workplace closures that have disrupted their livelihoods.

What’s more, many families were impacted by loss of food storage and workplace closures, resulting in loss of dependable income. Regardless of the death toll, donations and volunteerism are always critical after a hurricane or any disaster.

Hurricane Helene Relief Update

Melaleuca’s response to Hurricane Milton built on its recent relief efforts following Hurricane Helene, where the company:

• Dispatched a semitruck loaded with Riverbend Ranch Black Label Beef and Melaleuca products to several cities throughout the Southeast
• Distributed $125,000 to five regional food banks
• Supplied essential items to churches, community centers, and Red Cross shelters
• Provided Melaleuca products, cash and emergency supplies to Melaleuca customers and Marketing Executives in need

Melaleuca continues to be in communication with community leaders as well as Marketing Executives throughout the Southeast.