As Hurricane Matthew barrels north and the American Red Cross responds, Delta is pitching in to help its partner and the local communities the airline serves.

On Thursday, Delta began collecting money for the Red Cross. Customer donations made through a special Delta page on the Red Cross website go to providing immediate relief, including food, water, shelter, clean up, and physical and mental health needs of those affected. Employees can donate through a Delta-Red Cross microsite. Financial donations are the fastest and most effective way to help those in need, the Red Cross says. 

Customers are also able to donate to the American Red Cross through SkyWish, the charitable arm of Delta's SkyMiles frequent flyer program. It allows Delta and its SkyMiles members to donate miles to charitable organizations worldwide.

The American Red Cross is Delta’s longest-standing nonprofit partner, which has allowed the company, its employees and customers to help those in need for 75 years. Delta is an Annual Disaster Giving Program participant at the $1 million level, allowing the organization to be strategic in disaster response. In addition, employees participate in corporate blood drives throughout the year, making Delta the largest corporate blood donor in the Southeast and No. 3 in the U.S.

“Supporting the American Red Cross allows Delta and our employees and customers to help those who are affected by crisis around the world,” said Tad Hutcheson, Managing Director – Community Affairs. “As a global airline, we are committed to investing in our local communities, lending a helping hand when it’s needed the most, and partnering with organizations who are involved with disaster reliefs year round.”

In 2016, Delta solicited employee contributions to relief efforts in the wake of numerous crises, including a major earthquake in Ecuador, the mass shooting at a nightclub in Orlando, Fla., and historic flooding in Louisiana.

The organization has the largest network of humanitarian volunteers, with 13 million in 187 countries, and responds to a community disaster every eight minutes.

The American Red Cross is the U.S.’ premier provider of disaster relief, blood, health and safety services. The organization provides 24-hour support to members of the military, veterans and their families at home and around the world, and trains millions of people in first aid, water safety and other lifesaving skills.