Smaller to midsize convenience retailers might lack the outsized capital budgets of larger chains, but that doesn’t prevent them from demonstrating outsized charitable ways and means locally.
These retailers are known for strong roots in their local community—where they also call home—and show out through generous charitable support and volunteerism. Often that’s written into their corporate mission statements.
With 31 Indiana and Ohio stores, Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Lassus Bros. has a penchant for raising funds for local organizations, such as the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, the annual Fort Wayne “Be A Blessing” holiday campaign, Little League teams, local festivals and school supply drives.
In other U.S. markets, the giving trend is alive and well. Atoka, Oklahoma-based Choctaw Travel Plaza stepped up big-time in the spring to raise significant funds during the first round of fundraising to benefit the Choctaw Travel Plaza Scholarship Fund.
A chain of 18 Oklahoma-based travel centers, Choctaw Travel Plaza leveraged this opportunity to the nth degree by partnering with The Coca-Cola Co. The plan was to raise funds to allow local Choctaw tribal students to attend college or trade school.
Round one done, more to come
In June, community members participated in fundraising by purchasing a commemorative cup available at all Choctaw Travel Plazas across the Native American reservation. The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States with more than 230,000 tribal members and 13,000-plus associates.
“We are ecstatic about the outcome of our first round of fundraising for the Choctaw Travel Plaza Scholarship Fund,” said Marshall Wright, senior director of corporate marketing for Choctaw Nation.
“Coca-Cola helped us kick-start this fund, community members came out and purchased cups this summer to support students, and the Chahta Foundation helped us finish strong,” Wright said. “We’re excited to start awarding scholarships and making more of an impact in our communities.”
With Coca-Cola’s initial donation to the Choctaw Travel Plaza Scholarship Fund, three $1,000 scholarships were awarded this summer to local high school students with plans to create an even bigger impact in coming years.
Over the summer, travelers bought about 9,000 cups to help raise $21,000. The Chahta Foundation, Choctaw Nation’s nonprofit organization, matched the funds to bring the total to $42,000.
With 18 locations across the Choctaw Nation in Southeast Oklahoma, Choctaw Travel Plazas are known for clean, safe stores that boast all the travel essentials. On the foodservice side, the Chahta Grill offers chicken tenders and order-ahead pizza.
On the fuel side, travelers can earn 10 cents off per gallon at the pump, as well as other special deals through the Chahta Rewards loyalty program powered by the Chahta Rewards app.
Signature proprietary items available at the travel centers feature jarred pickles, jarred BBQ sauce, packaged pancake mixes and packaged chocolate pretzels.
Meanwhile, the charitable giving will continue full steam.
“Choctaw Travel Plazas are a long-standing partner in our communities,” Wright said. “We look forward to expanding the number of scholarships available next year.”
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