Melaleuca Delivers Hope After Floodwaters Rise in Texas and New Mexico

When catastrophic flash floods struck Texas and New Mexico this July, Melaleuca: The Wellness Company stepped forward to bring relief, restore dignity, and rekindle hope for thousands of families.

Through a network of churches, food banks, nonprofits, and local Melaleuca Marketing Executives, Melaleuca delivered help where it mattered most. From Kerrville and San Angelo to Ruidoso and Albuquerque, Melaleuca’s emergency supplies reached families living in campsites, mobile homes, and shelters as well as volunteers and first responders serving on the front lines.

This was more than a response. It was Melaleuca living its promise to do good where good is needed.

Boots on the Ground. Beef on the Grill. Wellness in Every Box.

At Melaleuca, we believe in serving with purpose. In partnership with chaplains, nonprofit directors, and our dedicated Marketing Executives, we donated:

• 16,000 pounds of Riverbend Ranch Black Label Beef
• Thousands of wellness and personal hygiene kits
• Essential cleaning products, baby supplies, snacks and hydration.

Melaleuca’s relationship with Riverbend Ranch has reshaped how Melaleuca responds to disasters. The ability to ship high-quality, nutritious beef quickly and at scale has proven to be a game-changer in The Wellness Company’s charitable giving.

“I’ve seen Melaleuca step up in remarkable ways,” says Melaleuca CEO Jerry Felton. “After these devastating floods hit Texas and New Mexico, our team quickly went to work—sending household products, wellness essentials, and even Riverbend Ranch Black Label Beef to help families recover and rebuild.”

Serving Meals. Serving Dignity.

One of the most significant relief efforts took place in Ingram, Texas, near the flooded Camp Mystic, where Melaleuca donated 6,000 pounds of Riverbend Ranch Black Label Beef to Mercy Chefs. This faith-based disaster relief group is one of the last still holding mass feeding operations for flood survivors and first responders.

Working out of a 42-foot mobile kitchen stationed at Citywest Church, professional chefs have been preparing thousands of hot, restaurant-quality meals using our donated beef.

“In times of disaster, a hot meal is more than just food,” said Jonathan Howell, Mercy Chef’s corporate partnership manager. “It’s comfort, hope, and a reminder that people care. Melaleuca’s generous donation of beef has been an incredible support to our efforts here in Kerr County, helping us serve thousands of meals to families, first responders, and volunteers. We are deeply grateful for their partnership in bringing nourishment and encouragement to those facing some of their hardest days.”

Lifting Communities in San Angelo and Beyond

Roughly 140 miles northeast in San Angelo, Melaleuca partnered with the Concho Valley Regional Food Bank, the United Way of the Concho Valley, and Concho Valley Turning Point.

Melaleuca sent 10,000 pounds of Riverbend Ranch Black Label Beef, helping food pantries whose resources were stretched to the breaking point to restock and continue serving families.

Comfort in Crisis: Hygiene, Cleaners, Snacks, and Support

Melaleuca’s response extended beyond food. Within days, we shipped MelaPower Laundry Detergent, Tough & Tender All-Purpose Cleaner, Sustain Hydration, Lemon Brite Dish Soap, Koala Kubs Baby Wipes, Clear Defense Hand Sanitizer, and Simply Fit Snack Bars to distribution centers in Marble Falls and San Angelo.

Working with Ark of the Highland Lakes Church, the United Way, and Concho Valley Turning Point, our products helped families stay healthy, hydrated, and hopeful.

Melaleuca Executive Director 3 Sheyenne Brumbelow played a key role in organizing this effort, coordinating two locations where local Marketing Executives unloaded our semi-truck. Shey worked alongside Director 5 Manda Kistler, Director 6 Breanna Massey, Director 3 Caleigh Krause, Director 3 Jennifer Robiso, Director 2 Sam Warick, Director 3 Lexi Villareal and Product Advocate Yvonne Palacios.

“This wasn’t about checking a box,” Shey says. “It was about showing up in a way that truly matters—filling real gaps with the right kind of support.”

Honoring Unsung Heroes: Horse Stable Hands and Chaplains

In Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, floodwaters swept through a racetrack, endangering more than 100 horses. While many people fled, the grooms—those who care for these animals every day—ran toward the danger. They waded through rising waters, broke down fences, and led terrified horses to safety while losing nearly all of their personal belongings.

“Some people might think, ‘they are just animals,” but for us, they are family,” said Pedro Zubiate.  

To honor their courage, Melaleuca sent them wellness kits and beef through the Race Track Chaplaincy of America. Some of that beef was cooked into hamburgers and spaghetti & meatballs for staff at the Ruidoso Downs and Albuquerque Downs racetracks, where many workers have been living in tents during the aftermath.

“What touched me most was that while everyone else was grabbing their personal belongs and running for high grounds, they ran towards the danger knowing they would lose everything they had,” said Melaleuca President Cole Clinger. “These grooms put the needs of the animals above their own comfort, even as they faced personal loss. That kind of selflessness is noble, and we wanted them to know it didn’t go unnoticed.”

Melaleuca’s Approach: Listen First. Respond with Love.

Melaleuca does not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to disaster relief. Every response is tailored. Every product is intentional. In every disaster, we listen first, then act with humility, urgency, and care.

“The groups we worked with didn’t ask for help until they’d exhausted their storehouses and every local option,” Shey said. “That’s when Melaleuca stepped in. We replenished their supplies and empowered them to continue the good work that was already underway. I love that Melaleuca and our Marketing Executives were there to support the ongoing work.”

Whether through church leaders, nonprofit partners, or our passionate Marketing Executives, Melaleuca helps strengthen what local heroes have already started. We serve in ways that build trust, restore dignity, and bring light into dark times.

A Disaster That Changed Thousands of Lives Forever

Over the July 4 weekend, violent storms overwhelmed entire communities. Rivers overflowed, homes vanished, and families were displaced across the Texas Hill Country and New Mexico. More than 130 lives were lost.

And yet, in the wake of this devastation, something powerful emerged: Neighbors helped neighbors. Volunteers cooked meals. Chaplains offered comfort. Grooms saved lives. And Melaleuca was there.

“We’re not first responders,” said Jerry, “but we are fast responders. And because we have boots on the ground in nearly every town in America, we can act with speed, compassion, and purpose.”

Still There. Still Serving.

Melaleuca’s response to the Texas and New Mexico floods is the latest in a long history of disaster relief efforts. And while the headlines fade, the work continues.

“I couldn’t be more grateful to be part of a company—and a community—that lives our mission,” says Jerry. “Together, we’re making a difference every single day. Thank you for being part of this amazing journey.”

Because enhancing lives isn’t just our Mission Statement. It’s our promise to do good where good is needed.