In the aftermath of severe flooding in the Texas Hill Country and Central Texas, local businesses have played a significant role in relief efforts. Community members and volunteers have provided assistance, while companies have contributed resources and services to support those affected.
Jeremiah Bentley, vice president of marketing and community affairs at Texas Mutual Insurance Company, and Justen Noakes, executive director of BeforeDuringAfter, emphasized the importance of ongoing business involvement in recovery. They stated, “This is the kind of community spirit we’ve come to expect in Texas—but as cleanup has transitioned to long-term recovery, the road ahead requires continued and intentional support from every corner of the state.”
Bentley and Noakes highlighted specific examples: “H-E-B mobilized its disaster response unit, deploying its mobile kitchens and delivering direct aid to affected families. Local restaurants like P. Terry’s and Kerbey Lane donated proceeds to flood relief efforts. And numerous businesses and individuals have contributed to the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and the Central Texas Community Foundation, both of whom are committed to long-term recovery.”
They also noted challenges facing small businesses after disasters. According to FEMA estimates, 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen following a natural disaster; other data from the U.S. Small Business Administration suggests that number could be as high as 90 percent.
The authors urged companies to make philanthropy an integral part of their operations: “At Texas Mutual Insurance Company and BeforeDuringAfter, we’ve seen firsthand how strategic giving and long-term planning can ease the burden on communities, and especially businesses, recovering from disaster. Whether it’s supporting local nonprofit networks or helping rebuild small businesses from the ground up, corporate philanthropy must be more than a one-time donation. It must be part of a company’s culture.”
They encouraged all employers—large or small—to continue their support by donating to vetted relief funds or partnering with nonprofits. Bentley and Noakes added: “It’s also critical to ensure we’re listening to local leaders. The most effective recovery efforts are those led by communities themselves, and businesses should follow their lead.”
The article concluded with a call for sustained engagement: “Recovery from these floods will take years. Let’s not let the momentum fade. And let’s make sure that our support doesn’t come with an expiration date.”
