Grainger’s 5th Annual Bucket Build Strengthens Disaster Preparedness Nationwide

At ToolBank USA, partnerships power our ability to respond when communities need it most. This week, we’re proud to highlight the impact of our continued collaboration with Grainger through their 5th Annual Bucket Build, an initiative that directly supports disaster preparedness and recovery efforts across North America.

Held at Grainger’s Lake Forest, Illinois headquarters, this year’s event brought together nearly 500 volunteers, including Grainger team members, ToolBank USA partners, and students from YouthBuild Lake County and YouthBuild Waukegan. Together, they assembled more than 4,000 disaster relief kits, each one designed to help families and individuals take their first steps toward recovery after a disaster.

Turning Preparation into Action

Each kit begins with a simple five-gallon bucket filled with essential cleaning supplies and hand tools donated by Grainger. While the contents may seem straightforward, their impact is anything but. These kits provide immediate, practical support to individuals navigating the aftermath of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other disasters.

Through ToolBank Disaster Services, these buckets will be distributed to communities across the country, including Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Panama City, Tampa, and San Juan, Puerto Rico, ensuring they reach those who need them most when they need them most.

A Partnership Rooted in Purpose

This marks our fourth year serving as Grainger’s disaster relief bucket distribution partner, and the impact continues to grow. As ToolBank USA CEO Trey Bearden shared:

“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’s commitment to service and community investment is evident not only in the scale of this event, but in the people behind it. Volunteers showed up with purpose, assembling kits, building connections, and contributing to something larger than themselves.

As Melanie Tinto, Grainger’s Chief Human Resources Officer, shared:

“Seeing our team members come together with ToolBank USA and YouthBuild programs reminds us of what’s possible when we invest in people and communities. The Bucket Build is more than preparing for disaster recovery. It’s also about collaborating to create pathways to meaningful work while helping communities recover and thrive.”

Expanding Impact Through Collaboration

The inclusion of YouthBuild participants adds another powerful layer to this initiative, connecting workforce development with community service. By bringing together corporate volunteers, nonprofit partners, and young people building career pathways, the Bucket Build demonstrates how collaboration can create both immediate and long-term impact.

Together, we are not only preparing for future disasters, we are investing in stronger, more resilient communities.

Looking Ahead

As we continue through peak disaster seasons, these 4,000 kits represent more than supplies. They represent readiness, partnership, and the shared belief that communities deserve the tools to recover and rebuild.

We are incredibly grateful to Grainger for their continued leadership, generosity, and commitment to our mission. Because of partners like them, ToolBank Disaster Services can continue to respond quickly, equip volunteers, and support communities on the road to recovery.

To read more about Grainger’s 5th Annual Bucket Build, visit the original article:
https://www.builtinchicago.org/articles/grainger-bucket-build-20260924