Appliance maker Maytag Corporation and retailer Sears Holdings Corporation are together donating more than 700 new refrigerators worth nearly U.S. $800,000 to Hurricane Katrina victims in an effort to help those affected replace appliances damaged in the storm.

The 26-cubic-feet-capacity units worth more than $1,000 each are being shipped from Iowa, U.S. to more than 10 United Way groups in Louisiana, U.S. who will oversee distribution of the appliances. Maytag manufactured the Kenmore-branded refrigerators. Sears has agreed to honor the full warranty on the side-by-side refrigerators.

"We are thrilled to be part of this effort to help Hurricane Katrina victims replace their much-needed appliances. We hope these new refrigerators will restore some normalcy to their lives," said Annette Bravard, senior vice president of marketing, Maytag Corporation. "We're proud to partner with Gifts in Kind International and United Way to distribute the appliances and to work with Sears to provide the warranties on these new refrigerators."

As many Louisiana residents struggle to rebuild their lives and homes, thousands of people have lived for months without the ability to keep food refrigerated and are faced with replacing some or all of their appliances. In a recent Harris Interactive survey, 89 percent of the respondents across the U.S. said their refrigerator is one household appliance they couldn't live without.

"Sears is committed to helping America outfit and maintain their homes. Because it operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week, a high quality refrigerator is central to the day-to-day operation of a family's kitchen," said Tina Settecase, vice president and general manager of home appliances for Sears, Roebuck and Co. "We're pleased to be part of this effort."

The units are being donated through Gifts in Kind International, a tax-exempt organization that partners with businesses and nonprofit groups to provide products and services that help improve communities.