As published online in the St. Louis Business Journal .

The American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter plans to announce a new program Saturday to recruit and train corporate partners as local Red Cross volunteers before a disaster strikes the metropolitan area.

The local Red Cross chapter has joined with distribution firm Grainger and St. Louis-based brewer Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. (NYSE:BUD) on the "Ready When the Time Comes" training program. The program is designed to help the Red Cross quickly mobilize volunteers for deployment in the event of a large-scale local disaster.

"Clearly, the greatest resource a business can contribute to disaster relief is its employee's time and dedication," Grainger Vice President of Marketing Laura Brown said in a statement. "The 'Ready When the Time Comes' program means our employees will be prepared to lend a hand when it's needed most."

In July 2006, Grainger announced its contribution of $1 million to the American Red Cross to seed 'Ready When the Time Comes' programs in 16 Red Cross chapters nationwide, including St. Louis. Grainger, based in Lake Forest, Ill., is a distributor of facilities maintenance supplies. It reported 2006 sales of $5.9 billion.

The Red Cross will announce the program May 5 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Raphael the Archangel School, 6000 Jamieson Ave., in St. Louis. St. Raphael is one of 600 local facilities designated as a potential Red Cross shelter during times of emergency. Shelters are activated as needed.