Community Service Roundup: 8 Ways Retailers, Suppliers Are Giving Back
By Kristina Hurtig on Jul. 22, 2016OAKBROOK TERRACE, Ill. -- In this roundup of charitable efforts by convenience stores and their suppliers, you will find 5Ks that support a good cause, a campaign with Coca-Cola, support for our military and schools and a contest that put consumers' creativity and cooking to the test. Click through to read more about these initiatives, as well as others. Have a community-service announcement of your own to share? Send related news to Kristina Peters at kpeters@winsightmedia.com.
CST Brands
San Antonio-based CST Brands, parent company of Corner Store and Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes, is hosting its second annual Corner Store Country Run in Syracuse, N.Y., on Aug. 6. Net proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters, as well as many other charitable organizations. Information about other upcoming Country Run races can be found here.
Rhodes 101 Stops
Rhodes 101 Stops, which has 30 c-store locations in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois, is donating $10,000 to the United Service Organizations, a nonprofit that supports military service members and their families. The donation was generated through Coca-Cola fountain-drink purchases made at Rhodes 101 Stops locations. The chain is also committed to assisting military and veterans’ organizations in its local communities. Through Sept. 5, groups are encouraged to apply for donations from the company.
Rutter's
York, Pa.-based Rutter’s has begun the rolling enrollment period for the Rutter’s Rewards Schools program, which helps raise money for nonprofit schools, clubs and organizations. Organizations must be located in a community Rutter’s serves and complete application forms. During the past year, more than 40 schools and organizations have received donations through Rutter’s Rewards Schools.
TravelCenters of America
For six weeks this summer, TravelCenters of America, Westlake, Ohio, is encouraging restaurant guests to order a meal in support of the National Military Family Association (NMFA), a nonprofit that works to strengthen and protect military families. Through Aug. 5, participating Country Pride and Iron Skillet locations will donate $1 to the NMFA for each entrée ordered from a select group of menu items.
Wawa
The Wawa Foundation—Wawa, Pa.-based Wawa’s nonprofit through which its charitable giving is channeled—named SPIN (Special People in Northeast) the winner of its first Hero Award, an honor given to a nonprofit organization serving the greater Philadelphia area and voted on by people in the region. SPIN will receive a $50,000 grant, and the three runners-up (Veterans Multi-Service Center Philadelphia, Beat the Streets and Philadelphia Reads) will each receive Silver Hero Medals and $10,000 grants. SPIN provides services and support for children and adults with intellectual, developmental and autism spectrum disabilities.
Western Refining
More than 260 Western Refining locations throughout the Southwest, operating under the Giant and Howdy’s brands, raised $600,000 during the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Summer Camp pinup program to help kids fighting muscular dystrophy and related life-threatening diseases attend MDA Summer Camp—all at no cost to their families. Since first teaming up with MDA in 2012, Western Refining and its customers have raised more than $2 million in support of MDA.
Carl Buddig & Co.
Homewood, Ill.-based Carl Buddig & Co. awarded Amy Meiers, a Santa Rosa, Calif., resident, $10,000 as part of Buddig’s first national Make It Delish Recipe Contest. The contest tasked consumers with submitting a recipe using Buddig and/or Old Wisconsin products and a secret ingredient for a chance to win monthly prizes, as well as the $10,000 grand prize. In addition to Meiers’ winnings for her Ham and Pepper Twisters (pictured above), her primary grocer, G&G Supermarket, was also awarded $10,000 to donate to a charity of its choice, Redwood Empire Food Bank.
Kind
The Kind Foundation, a “not-only-for-profit” company established by New York-based Kind, said it will host an educational summit for aspiring and early-stage entrepreneurs focused on building businesses that will positively affect their communities. The foundation, along with Venture for America, will host the summit in November during National Entrepreneurship Month. The charitable effort is part of the foundation’s mission to advance healthier and more connected communities. Entrepreneurs interested in attending can learn more here.