Community Service Roundup, January 2023
By Rachel Gignac on Feb. 08, 2023The convenience-store industry kicked the year off strongly with community-centered initiatives, including efforts from five retailers, two suppliers and a foodservice distributor.
From providing access to meals to supporting veterans, Spinx, EG Group, Rutter’s and more gave back this January.
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Murphy USA
Murphy USA, El Dorado, Arkansas, approved a $25 million donation to the Murphy USA Charitable Foundation, which supports positive changes in local communities with an emphasis on El Dorado and southern Arkansas.
The Foundation funds the company’s matching gifts, including the annual United Way campaign, in addition to all the other charities our employees choose to support with their personal giving. In addition, this gift will allow the foundation to sustain its three key priorities of funding programs that support education and workforce development, infrastructure revitalization and community health and well-being.
“Murphy USA and its board of directors are firmly committed to the communities where we live and work, especially in South Arkansas and our headquarters town of El Dorado,” said Andrew Clyde, president and CEO of Murphy USA. “By making this donation to our foundation, we will continue to look for ways to make a positive impact with all of our key stakeholders.”
Spinx Co.
The Spinx Co., Greenville, South Carolina, donated more than 2,000 meals to non-profit organizations in honor of its 50th anniversary. Spinx chose one organization per month to receive free meals from the Cluk Truk, its fried chicken food truck.
The meals were distributed to local organizations monthly, including:
- January: United Ministries, 125 meals
- February: Highland Square Apartments, 300 meals
- March: Safe Harbor, 49 meals
- April: March of Dimes, 845 meals
- May: Favor, 101 meals
- June: Miracle Hill, 140 meals
- July: Greenville County Police, 85 meals
- August: Boys and Girls Club of Greenville, 113 meals
- September: Greenville Fire Departments, 83 meals
- October: Soteria CDC, 61 meals
- November: Project Host, 240 meals
- December: A Child’s Haven, 162 meals
EG Group
Westborough, Massachusetts-based EG Group raised $647,000 in its fundraiser with Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
Customers were encouraged to donate an amount of their choosing when they visited any of EG Group's convenience stores, including Cumberland Farms, Certified Oil, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf N' Jug, Minit Mart, Quik Shop, Sprint Food Stores, Tom Thumb and Turkey Hill.
EG America presented a check to Coleman Yee, DAV's third junior vice commander and Marine veteran, in a ceremony at EG America.
Rutter’s
Rutter’s, York, Pennsylvania, raised a new record of $1.2 million in charitable donations in 2022.
The annual charitable efforts include Rutter’s Charity Cannister Program, Secret Santa, Feeding the Frontline and Rutter’s Children’s Charities’ Golf Outing. In addition, Rutter’s added new programs for 2022, including a Youth Sports League Giveaway and $100k for the Holidays. Each program benefits local charities with specific needs or projects throughout the year.
“We’re very privileged to be in the position to continue our charitable giving throughout 2022,” said Chris Hartman, president of Rutter’s Children’s Charities. “We’re eager to continue our support of children, families and our local communities.”
Global Partners LP
Global Partners, an independent owner, supplier and operator of gasoline stations and convenience stores based in Boston, donated $2 million to provide heating oil for seven states in the Northeast as well as local nonprofit entities serving low-income households. The funds will provide heating for 4,000 households this winter.
Massachusetts and New York split $1.3 million of the funds evenly. An additional $700,000 was split between Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
“Due to inflation, we know Vermonters are struggling with increased costs across the board, including home heating fuel, so it’s critical we all do our part to ease the burden,” said Phil Scott, governor of Vermont. “I appreciate Global Partners’ donation and commitment to supporting those in need.”
Talking Rain Beverage Co.
Talking Rain Beverage Co., maker of Sparkling Ice, based in Seattle, launched a new program, called Flavorful Giving. Sparkling Ice will partner with a different charitable organization every month—each with their own unique flavor—focusing on a range of topics including youth development, veteran care, wellness, education and more.
In January, Sparkling Ice partnered with Good Sports, an organization dedicated to making sports and physical activity accessible to all children, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. Sparkling Ice provided sporting goods to Bailey Gatzert Elementary in Seattle, promoting equity and healthy habits through play.
Danone North America
Danone North America, White Plains, New York, is accepting applications for its Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and Probiotics Fellowship Grant through Feb. 14.
In its 11th year, Danone will award two $25,000 grants to graduate students interested in exploring the gut microbiome, probiotics and yogurt to better understand how they help support and maintain human health and wellness.
U.S. Foods Holding Corp.
U.S. Foods, a foodservice distributor based in Rosemont, Illinois, donated nearly $13 million in food and supplies in 2022, which totals approximately 6 million meals.
The company organized a variety of associate giving and volunteer campaigns throughout 2022 to support community hunger-relief efforts. Activities included a week-long Spring into Service campaign in which associates participated in various company-sponsored community service events, a Hunger Action Month campaign and a month-long holiday Giving Gratitude campaign, dedicated to supporting communities struggling with food insecurity.