DALLAS -- 7-Eleven Inc. has announced a $40 million in-store, crime-fighting initiative, through which the company is installing security cameras and digital recorders in all of its U.S. stores which will allow 7-Eleven, its franchisees and local law enforcement agencies to remotely view security footage in 7-Eleven's stores.
Also, 7-Eleven has announced a $300,000 gift to Safer Dallas Better Dallas to fight crime in the Ross-Bennett and Five Points (Vickery Meadows) areas of Dallas. The donation is the first in Safer Dallas' effort to raise $3 million to equip the Dallas Police Department with the necessary tools to attack crime in the 27 Targeted Area Action Grid (TAAG) identified by Chief David Brown throughout Dallas.
"Public safety is a top priority at 7-Eleven," said Joe DePinto, 7-Eleven president and CEO. "We can make the community safer as we enhance the quality of life in the neighborhoods where our guests, franchisees and employees live and work. We are investing $40 million nationwide in public safety to make our stores and neighborhoods safer. Law enforcement has long cited the importance of security cameras in deterring wrongdoing. These enhanced surveillance-camera systems in our U.S. stores represent another step we are taking to increase the security of customers and employees."
7-Eleven's donation to Safer Dallas will be used to purchase three-wheeled neighborhood patrol vehicles (T3s), neighborhood security cameras, bait cars, fixed/mobile license plate readers and installation of cameras.
Earlier this year, 7-Eleven donated four new T3's to the Dallas Police Department, doubling the fleet of T3 electric standup vehicles (ESVs).
In other news concerning 7-Eleven's community efforts, to mark Hunger Action Month, the retailer is kicking off a national awareness and fundraising campaign to benefit Feeding America. Through the end of the year, customers at participating 7-Eleven stores can make donations of cash and spare change in specially marked canisters at the stores' sales counter.
A $1 can provide eight meals at local food banks.
Feeding America is the nation's leading domestic hunger-relief charity engaged in efforts to end hunger in this country. Through a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks and more than 61,000 agencies, the national organization helps feed hungry children, families, individuals and senior citizens throughout every U.S. county.
"Youth well-being is a philanthropic focus for 7-Eleven and fighting child hunger is a priority," said Nancy Lear, community relations manager for 7-Eleven. "We believe Feeding America is the country's most efficient, effective organization at helping local food banks provide nutritious meals to those who need it most. Our hope is that when our guests stop by to purchase something to eat or drink at our stores they remember those who can't and drop their spare change in the Feeding America collection canister."
Funds raised will help support local Feeding America-member food banks in the specific communities where monies are raised.
And 7-Eleven kicked off its new Slurpee Slurp4Good fundraising program in San Diego-area stores to raise money for Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit agency assisting military families. During September, every Slurpee beverage sold at participating 7-Eleven stores will generate a donation at the register--7 cents for each small drink and 11 cents for every medium and large cup, up to $25,000.
The retailer is asking Southern California Slurpee drinkers to help with an important mission--to fill the pantries of military families living in the Operation Homefront Village in Oceanside, Calif., near Camp Pendleton and Balboa Naval Medical Center. Funds raised in September will help provide food and home goods to 65 military families who will live in the residential units over the next two years.
"So many of our customers, not just in southern California, but across the country, are active or former military, family members or have military ties," said Tom Lesser, 7-Eleven zone leader for the Pacific Desert area. "7-Eleven has been recognized as a military-friendly company because of our discounted franchisee program for former military, hiring practices and charitable focus on military families. Operation Homefront seemed like a natural choice to launch 7-Eleven's first Slurp4Good campaign."
Dallas-based 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses approximately 9,400 stores in North America.
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