In response to recent severe flooding in the Texas Hill Country and Central Texas, businesses across the state have played a significant role in relief and recovery efforts. The community witnessed neighbors helping each other, volunteers distributing supplies, and companies offering both donations and direct support.
Jeremiah Bentley, vice president of marketing and community affairs at Texas Mutual Insurance Company, and Justen Noakes, executive director of BeforeDuringAfter, highlighted the ongoing need for business involvement beyond initial disaster response. “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,” they stated.
The article noted several examples of corporate engagement. H-E-B deployed its disaster response unit with mobile kitchens and aid deliveries. Local restaurants such as P. Terry’s and Kerbey Lane contributed proceeds to flood relief initiatives. Many businesses and individuals also supported organizations like the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and the Central Texas Community Foundation.
Bentley and Noakes stressed that long-term recovery requires more than one-time contributions. “We’ve been inspired by companies who have contributed emergency resources, opened their doors to displaced residents or provided services free of charge. But this kind of corporate giving can’t stop when the camera crews leave. Recovery isn’t a moment; it’s a process,” they said.
They pointed out alarming statistics regarding small business survival after disasters: “FEMA estimates that 40 percent of small businesses never reopen after a natural disaster. The U.S. Small Business Administration estimates the number is closer to 90 percent. That’s not just a statistic—that’s a warning.”
Both leaders encouraged businesses to integrate philanthropy into their core values, noting that strong communities benefit companies as well. They urged employers—large or small—to continue supporting local relief funds, offer paid volunteer time for employees, or partner with nonprofits based on evolving needs.
“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,” Bentley and Noakes advised.
They concluded by emphasizing that recovery will be a lengthy process: “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.”
