How Starbucks, Disney, and other companies are reacting to the LA fires

• Companies are offering support to their employees and others affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
• The deadly flames have burned thousands of acres and sent hundreds of thousands fleeing.
• From planning a benefit concert to serving free Happy Meals, here's what companies are doing.

The wildfires in Los Angeles have claimed 24 lives as of Thursday, burned thousands of acres and homes, and sent hundreds of thousands of people looking for shelter.

The disaster has prompted many major companies to adjust their operations — and donate to relief efforts.

Here is a roundup of the actions that major businesses are taking in the wake of the fires.

Amazon

Amazon is donating $10 million in fire relief efforts in the Los Angeles area, the company said on Monday. The funding will come from Amazon's entertainment division, which includes Amazon MGM Studios, as well as Ring and Whole Foods Market.

Among Amazon's donations so far are respirators and gloves for clean-up efforts to the American Red Cross, as well as food donations from Amazon Fresh to local groups feeding fire victims.

Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook said Wednesday that the company would "be donating to support the victims and recovery efforts on the ground" in a post on X.

Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the size or other details of the donation.

Comcast NBCUniversal

Comcast NBCUniversal donated $10 million to relief efforts, the company announced Monday. Benefiting organizations included the American Red Cross, the Entertainment Industry Foundation SoCal Fire Fund, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles.

"We stand ready to support our employees and the broader Los Angeles community as we recover and rebuild from these tragic events," Comcast chair Brian Roberts said in a statement.

Disney

Hundreds of Disney employees, including CEO Robert Iger, had been evacuated from their homes as of Monday, while 64 had lost their houses, The New York Times reported on Tuesday. Disney has approved $15 million for "community services and rebuilding efforts," the Times reported.

Disney's movie production, however, hasn't slowed down, the Times reported. The company's movie operations in Burbank are far enough from the fires. Lots for Sony Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Netflix, and other entertainment providers are also not currently threatened by the fires.

Disney did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Google

Google and its philanthropic division "are supporting relief and recovery efforts with grant funding and an internal giving campaign for employee donations and company gift match," the company said in a post on Thursday.

The tech company also said it was providing details about the fires, such as the boundaries of affected areas, on Google Maps. It was also working with the Hotel Association of Los Angeles so that search engine users affected by the fires could find free or discounted places to stay.

In addition to contributing to a $15 million donation to relief efforts through Google's philanthropic arm, Google.org, video giant YouTube will offer production facilities for impacted creators once its Los Angeles office can reopen.

It's also planning future events to bring the community together, CEO Neal Mohan wrote on the company's blog.

Live Nation

Entertainment company Live Nation is planning a benefit concert called "FireAid" for January 30 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, Variety reported on Friday.

While the performer lineup is not public yet, proceeds from the concert will go to rebuilding and supporting victims as well as preparing for future fires, according to Variety.

Live Nation didn't respond to a request for comment from BI.

Mattel

El Segundo, California-based Mattel said in an Instagram post on Sunday that it would support nonprofits doing relief work for the fires through the Mattel Children's Foundation.

"Our thoughts are with all who are suffering during this unprecedented crisis in our headquarter city," the post reads.

McDonald's

McDonald's restaurants in Southern California are giving out free Happy Meals to first responders and people who have had to leave their homes, according to a website that the chain set up for the offer. The deal is good through Thursday, and patrons have to use the McDonald's app to order.

Paramount

Paramount is donating $1 million to organizations that support firefighting and relief efforts, per an internal memo sent out by its co-CEOs on Friday and obtained by Business Insider.

The company is providing support for impacted employees in the form of cash grants via its Employee Assistance Fund (EAF), as well as offering lodging and temporary housing.

Paramount will also match all employee donations to charities, including the EAF, wrote co-CEOs George Cheeks, Chris McCarthy, and Brian Robbins.

Netflix

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos announced that the disaster had impacted "many" of its employees and creative partners.

As a result, Netflix is donating $10 million to five organizations: the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Community Fund Wildfire Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, Motion Picture and Television Fund, and Entertainment Community Fund.

It's also assisting impacted employees with temporary housing and double-matching all employee charity contributions, Sarandos said.

Snap

Snap founder Evan Siegel — who grew up in the now-fire-ravaged Pacific Palisades — posted a love letter to Los Angeles Monday, sharing that his father's house had "burned to the ground on live TV."

He also said more than 150 Snap employees had been displaced by the fires.

"Snap, Bobby, and I have already disbursed $5 million in immediate aid," Spiegel wrote, referring to cofounder and CTO Bobby Murphy, "and we will do more." He added that the company was helping to feed evacuees and first responders and offering free space.

Starbucks

Starbucks is "temporarily offering catastrophe pay for any missed shifts" to employees whose stores are open but have been displaced due to the fire, the coffee chain told Bloomberg on Tuesday.

Starbucks confirmed the catastrophe pay to BI. The coffee chain is also closing stores in evacuation zones and continuing to pay employees — whom the company calls "partners" — based at those stores, a company spokesperson said.

Partners have also been providing coffee to first responders and shelters. On Monday, Starbucks also started offering free tall brewed coffees to first responders who stop by stores in the area.

"We are deeply proud of our partners," the spokesperson said. "They continue to serve first responders and communities across LA where it is safe to do so."

Target

The big-box chain said it's using its supply chain "to fast-track critical supplies to stores" in areas near the fires, a spokesperson said. It's also donating $1 million to groups that aid firefighters and first responders and offering support to employees affected by the fires through Target's Team Member Giving Fund.

"Our hearts go out to the many people impacted by the wildfires in California," the spokesperson told BI.

Walmart

The Walmart Mobile Relief Kitchen is serving free hot meals until Sunday at Walmart's Supercenter in Baldwin Park, California, east of Los Angeles, the chain said.

Walmart, along with Sam's Club and the Walmart Foundation, have donated $2.5 million in aid to relief efforts.

"Over the past several days, Walmart stores in Southern California have donated food, water and gift cards to help first responders and shelters support people in need," Walmart said.