Over the last seven years, Home Depot has invested millions into helping wounded, homeless and elderly veterans. Now, the nation’s largest hardware retailer is expanding its reach.
Home Depot Foundation officials announced from Atlanta Thursday that the company will invest $250 million in veterans causes by 2025, bringing their overall commitment to half a billion dollars.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done, and we know that, and so we’re in it for the long haul,” Foundation Executive Director Shannon Gerber said in an interview. “We’re thankful to our service men and women who have dedicated their lives to our country, and we’re proud to serve those who have sacrificed so much.”
The announcement comes just months after the foundation committed $50 million to train thousands, including transitioning service members, in skilled trade jobs over the next decade. The organization launched a partnership with the nonprofit Home Builders Institute last year to offer free, 12-week training programs on military bases, and Gerber said the program will be on 10 installations by the end of next year.
That $50 million commitment will come under the new, larger umbrella, which includes partnerships with many nonprofits, including the Gary Sinise Foundation, Jared Allen’s Homes for Wounded Warriors, Volunteers of America, Semper Fi Fund and others.
The foundation not only offers grants to these groups, but Home Depot employees also collaborate on volunteer projects in their respective communities. These employee groups, dubbed “Team Depot,” clocked 100,000 volunteer hours in the last seven weeks alone.
Gerber said 40,000 Home Depot associates are veterans or reservists, giving the $500 million commitment a significance that hits close to home.
“This commitment to veterans is not only a part of our core values to give back and do the right thing … but also very personal to us,” she said.
Military Times contributor and former reporter Natalie Gross hosts the Spouse Angle podcast. She grew up in a military family and has a master's degree in journalism from Georgetown University.
