Grainger's Fourth Annual Bucket Build Event Aids Disaster Relief Initiatives Across North America
On September 10, 2025, Grainger, a well-known distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating products, conducted its fourth annual Bucket Build event in Lake Forest, Illinois. This inspiring volunteer initiative gathered around 500 participants from Grainger, ToolBank USA, and local YouthBuild programs, including YouthBuild Lake County and YouthBuild Waukegan. Together, they constructed over 4,000 disaster relief kits to help communities across North America in their recovery efforts.
The disaster relief kits were carefully assembled using five-gallon buckets filled with essential cleaning supplies and hand tools, aimed at assisting individuals and families in the aftermath of natural disasters. Melanie Tinto, Grainger's Chief Human Resources Officer, expressed her admiration for the dedication showcased by the volunteers, stating, "I'm inspired by the pride and compassion our team members showed at the Bucket Build, and grateful for the collaboration with YouthBuild Global and ToolBank USA. This event reflects our commitment to building resilient communities by creating long-term opportunities for recovery, workforce development, and empowerment."
The disaster relief kits have been earmarked for distribution to various cities, including Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Panama City, Tampa, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Past kits have been utilized following hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other significant natural disasters. Trey Bearden, the CEO of ToolBank USA, highlighted the importance of these kits, claiming, "These kits provide critical tools and supplies that help communities recover after devastating storms. Our disaster services team looks forward to putting them into the hands of those currently navigating recovery, as well as communities that will face disasters in the future."
Grainger, with a robust presence across North America, Japan, and the UK, prides itself in providing exceptional service and innovative solutions to over 4.5 million customers worldwide. In the fiscal year of 2024, Grainger reported revenues of approximately $17.2 billion. Since its founding, Grainger has played a major role in ensuring that the world keeps working, reflecting its mission statement, "We Keep the World Working®".
Alongside Grainger, ToolBank USA serves as a national nonprofit dedicated to supplying tools and equipment to support community organizations and volunteers. Through a network of local ToolBanks, it assists nonprofits and schools in undertaking projects that foster community enhancement and resilience. One of its significant initiatives includes the Disaster Services program, designed to facilitate disaster recovery efforts by providing tools and manpower.
YouthBuild programs also play a crucial role in this collaborative effort. They work with young people who might be out of school and out of work, helping them develop valuable skills for future careers while also becoming community leaders. YouthBuild is active in over 320 programs worldwide, boasting a partnership with over 210,000 young individuals who have dedicated a remarkable 52 million hours in community service. With a mission to empower youth to create a better world, YouthBuild is an indispensable part of the effort to build resilient communities through education, leadership, and workforce development.
As Grainger continues to expand its outreach and impact, the Bucket Build event serves as a testament to the company’s dedication to service, collaboration, and helping those in need. With the assistance of partners like ToolBank USA and YouthBuild, Grainger is committed to facilitating long-term recovery and empowerment in disaster-stricken communities, proving that together, significant change is possible.