ATLANTA -- RaceTrac Petroleum Inc. has teamed with Metropolitan Ministries to hold a holiday food and toy drive November 3 through December 24, 2008. Metropolitan Ministries, a Tampa, Fla.-based faith-based and community-supported nonprofit organization, is collecting unwrapped toys and nonperishable food items to help local residents this holiday season. Collection bins can be found inside all Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco County RaceTrac locations.
Atlanta-based RaceTrac operates more than 525 convenience store/gas station locations in 12 southeastern states under the [image-nocss] RaceTrac and RaceWay brands. RaceTrac stores, which are all company owned, feature 20-24 fueling positions and a more than 4,000-square-foot c-store offering approximately 4,000 items.
Separately, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based Stewart's Shops said its customers, along with matching contributions from Stewart's, have raised $11 million benefiting thousands of local children's organizations.
The retailer's Holiday Match program begins on Thanksgiving Day and runs through Christmas Day. During that time, Stewart's will match individual donations made in the 326 Stewart's Shops. All funds raised go to charity; no administrative costs are deducted.
Last holiday season, the Holiday Match total was $1.2 million.
"Our customers have a long history of remarkable generosity," said Stewart's Foundation president Susan Law Dake. "Because of the tight economy, there will be more requests than ever. I believe our customers will try to raise a record amount to meet their needs."
The purpose of Holiday Match is to encourage individual giving and broaden the base of support for local charities. Stewart's Holiday Match is a 501c3 foundation; all donations are tax-deductible. Stewart's accepts funds from groups or businesses, but only matches individual donations.
"It's a two-part program," said Dake. "Our goal is to bring donations in and get applications out to children's groups in need of funds."
Local organizations benefiting kids can pick up an application throughout the holidays at any Stewart's Shop; the deadline for submission is January 31, 2009. All groups applying must be locally based, benefit children under 18, and be a qualified, charitable 501c3 organization. A brochure will be available throughout the holidays at Stewart's Shops which lists all 1,154 children's organizations in their 30 county area that received funds last season.
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