Pictured, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, left, distributes free food at the Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Mercury Way Medical Offices with California Assemblyman Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa), middle, and Assemblyman Mark Levine (D-Marin County).

Today Kaiser Permanente announced a $650,000 contribution to provide immediate support for relief and recovery efforts in communities affected by the wildfires in Northern and Southern California.

Kaiser Permanente’s announcement includes an immediate donation of $400,000 to the American Red Cross, which is working alongside government and community partners to help provide urgent relief support, including shelter and food, to those impacted. In addition, Kaiser Permanente is closely monitoring the impact of fires across Northern and Southern California and is committing an additional $250,000 for future relief efforts.

“Our hearts go out to our fellow Californians who have lost their homes and livelihoods and been displaced by the ongoing disasters,” said Bernard J. Tyson, chairman and CEO of Kaiser Permanente. “We at Kaiser Permanente know we must all do our part to help those individuals as they find safety and as they start the hard work of rebuilding their lives.”

Furthering its commitment to help recent fire victims, on October 30, Kaiser Permanente and the Redwood Empire Food Bank helped distribute food to families affected by the fires at the Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Mercury Way Medical Offices. California Gov. Gavin Newsom volunteered at the event, alongside Kaiser Permanente physicians and executives, as well as local leaders.

Kaiser Permanente and the food bank regularly support Santa Rosa residents in need, but Wednesday’s public event was geared toward helping residents who’ve been recently evacuated from their homes or who have lost power, ensuring they have enough food for themselves and their families.

“Let me just express deep gratitude to all of our friends and partners here today,” said Newsom. “We have decided not just to be bystanders, and we’ve come together to help support this community. This is when our humanity shines through.”

Kaiser Permanente has a longstanding commitment to the health of communities across the country, including during times of natural disaster. The organization committed more than $4 million in 2018 alone to support relief and recovery efforts as well as mental health services for survivors: The Paradise, Tubbs, and other fires in Northern California; the Thomas Fire in Southern California; Hurricane Harvey in the southeast United States; and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

“The Red Cross is working around the clock to help thousands of people forced to evacuate from their homes due to the California wildfires,” said Don Herring, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. “We are extremely grateful for Kaiser Permanente’s support, which allows us to provide shelter, food, and comfort to help people in need.”