GRAINGER'S FIFTH ANNUAL BUCKET BUILD HELPS COMMUNITIES PREPARE FOR DISASTER RECOVERY

More than 500 volunteers joined ToolBank USA and YouthBuild members to assemble 4,000 disaster relief kits for future disaster response and recovery efforts across North America.

CHICAGO, Sept. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Grainger (NYSE: GWW), a leading broad line distributor of maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products and services, hosted its fifth annual Grainger Bucket Build today. More than 500 Grainger team members, ToolBank USA partners and students from YouthBuild Lake County and YouthBuild Waukegan assembled more than 4,000 disaster relief kits at the company's headquarters in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Volunteers filled five-gallon buckets with essential cleaning supplies and hand tools donated by Grainger. The kits are designed to help families with clean up, repairs and initial recovery efforts after natural disasters.

"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," said Melanie Tinto, Chief Human Resources Officer at Grainger. "The Bucket Build is more than assembling supplies; it's about working together to help communities recover when disaster strikes while creating pathways to meaningful work. We're proud to partner with organizations that share our commitment to keeping the world working."

The disaster relief kits will be distributed by ToolBank USA to communities impacted by future natural disasters across North America. Potential deployment locations include Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Panama City, Tampa, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Previously, kits were deployed in the wake of hurricanes, wildfires, floods and other natural disasters.

"We're proud to continue our partnership with Grainger as we enter our fourth year as their disaster relief bucket distribution partner," said Trey Bearden, CEO of ToolBank USA. "Over the past few years, these buckets have been distributed to 97 communities across the continental U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, providing critical tools and supplies to families and communities when they are needed most. Each kit plays an important role in helping communities recover after devastating storms, and our Disaster Services team is committed to getting them into the hands of those navigating recovery today while also preparing for the challenges ahead."

In addition to supporting disaster preparedness, the event provided YouthBuild students with opportunities to volunteer alongside Grainger team members and learn more about careers in the skilled trades and supply chain industry, reinforcing Grainger's commitment to workforce development.

This marks the fourth consecutive year YouthBuild students have participated in Grainger's Bucket Build. "Young people have the talent and determination to rebuild communities while transforming their lives," said John Valverde, President and CEO of YouthBuild Global. "Grainger's support extends well beyond today's event — from volunteering alongside YouthBuild students at food banks to supporting energy infrastructure career training in Texas — and it's a model for how businesses can stand alongside young people as they work to realize their fullest potential."

About Grainger
W.W. Grainger, Inc. is a leading broad line distributor with operations primarily in North America and Japan. At Grainger, We Keep the World Working^® by serving more than 4.6 million customers worldwide with maintenance, repair and operating (MRO) products and value-added solutions delivered through innovative technology and deep customer expertise. Known for its commitment to service and purpose-driven culture, the Company reported 2025 revenue of $17.9 billion. For more information, visit www.grainger.com.

About ToolBank USA
ToolBank USA is a national nonprofit organization that provides tools and equipment to support community organizations and volunteers. Through a network of local ToolBanks across the country, the organization helps nonprofits and schools tackle projects, reduce costs, and make a lasting impact in their communities. ToolBank USA's mission is to help others build stronger communities through access to tools and resources, including its vital Disaster Services program, which provides tools and staff to assist with disaster recovery efforts. For more information, visit www.toolbank.org. 

About YouthBuild
With love and respect, YouthBuild partners with opportunity youth to build the skillsets and mindsets that lead to lifelong learning, livelihood, and leadership. At more than 340 YouthBuild programs around the world, young people who are out of school and out of work reclaim their education, gain job skills and credentials, and become leaders in their communities. To date, YouthBuild has partnered with more than 220,000 young people to dedicate over 52.5 million hours of service benefitting rural, urban, suburban, and tribal communities. YouthBuild Global — the headquarters for the YouthBuild movement — unifies and partners with this expansive network of YouthBuild programs. From training, technical assistance, capacity building, and innovative program enhancements to leadership development, financial stability, and narrative change and public policy, YouthBuild Global serves as a convener, collaborator, and catalyst for the entire YouthBuild movement. YouthBuild strives to create a world where all young people are seen for their potential and power to transform themselves and their communities. For more information about YouthBuild Global and the YouthBuild movement, visit YouthBuild.org.

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SOURCE W.W. Grainger, Inc.