Gift Cards Flow South to Aid Hurricane Victims

At least one retailer and a supermarket chain are using gift cards to help victims of the recent Florida hurricanes.

Sears, Roebuck and Co. provided United Way of Florida with $120,000 in gift cards for the families most affected by Hurricanes Charley and Frances. The retailer is also providing free flat-tire repairs for tire damaged by the storms. Sears offered the help through its Sears American Dream Campaign, a $100 million commitment to help families in need.

Food Lion gave the City of Jacksonville Disaster Relief 100 store gift cards in the amount of $10 each to help families after Hurricane Frances. It also delivered ice, drinking water, snack foods and juice to the area.