Comments on: Updated: Recovering from Ike

By: Winnie Hsia

Winnie Hsia — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 17:47:20 +0000

@Concerned Guest We understand your concerns about taking care of our employees during this difficult times. I spoke with Scott Simons of our Southwest Region and here’s what he’s told me: ‘When most of Houston was without power, all team members were given free ice to take home. On the first day back to work, all team members were treated to a fresh-prepared, hot meal at their stores. Regarding “leftover” perishable product, there really isn’t any to speak of. Sales are quite brisk and there is not much excess product. Also, after the storm, all the perishable product that was in the store had gone bad, so we were not able to give it away, unfortunately. Also, we have a Team Member emergency fund available for all Team Members. They simply must request assistance through the fund and the process is extremely short. The fund is not available for all Team Members in Houston just because the storm happened, but if there is a Team Members who is truly experiencing a major life challenge, they are welcome to apply, no matter the situation.’

By: Concerned Guest

Concerned Guest — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 13:42:26 +0000

It has come to my attention that business is operating “as usual” at many of the Houston area stores, which is all good.

My concern is that there are still many employees there that don’t have power and are themselves continuing to suffer hardships after Ike. What is being done to assist them in their time of need when they are working so hard to serve the community at large? I know that it is store policy to throw away or recycle many unsold, but still good perishables, even after a portion has been donated. Couldn’t these left over perishables be made available to the employees to take home to their families in this time of need? It may actually be the employees of the stores that need more than the patrons that can regularly afford to shop there. Just think of the stories they hear and the stress they are under as they serve the patrons and also try to cope with their own stresses once they leave work. I know the Kirby store had ice saved back for the employees and a community help list for those that do and do not have power, but I’m aware that hasn’t happened at some of the other stores. While store policies are important to have, I feel it is also important lift store policies when there is a dire need, especially now with recovery from Ike underway. In my opinion, until store hours resume to normal at all stores, anything that is perishable that is currently being thrown away (and hence, written off) could be made available to all store employees to take home to their families.

Thanks for listening.

Jennifer, a Concerned Guest

By: Winnie Hsia

Winnie Hsia — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 16:47:11 +0000

@Kent I am sorry to hear that you were inconvenienced due to our limited hours. At the present time, we’re unable to post our hours for our Houston locations as due to low stock and shorthanded staff. Once we have information on definite store hours, we will announce them here and in our other forums.

By: Kent

Kent — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:53:52 +0000

Please publish your hours!!! I wasted gas and work time only to find out that the parking lot was closed.

By: Saundra

Saundra — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 11:46:59 +0000

Please publish the temporary/limited hours on this blog.

Thank you for your support of the community!

By: Viv

Viv — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 16:44:26 +0000

Thanks – this was really helpful information. Any updates from today? Power is coming back on pretty quickly, so hopefully all of your stores will have it soon!

By: Krytondra

Krytondra — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 19:03:50 +0000

I’ve always heard that times like these can bring out the best in people and Sunday I saw it first hand! We went on the hunt for food and water when we found out you would open with much needed supplies. After an hour wait we were greeted at the door by managers who I’m sure were still without power and water themselves, and a store FULL of employees probably in the same predicament. There was nothing but smiles, hard work, and an overwhelming willingness to help. I was floored and deeply touched to see so many people putting their personal worries aside to come to our aid with water, ice, fresh produce, and milk. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

By: Erieka Pimentel

Erieka Pimentel — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:07:34 +0000

WOW! What a mess! It is great to see how well Whole Foods is working with what you have to make the best of an awful situation.It is great to know that you are trying to do your best to take care of your customers! Great job!

Erieka