Community Service Roundup, March 2022
By Rachel Gignac on Mar. 29, 2022CHICAGO — The charity roundup for March features 11 retailers, one distillery and one supplier that made or announced fundraising and donation efforts during the month.
Take a look at the contributions made by Casey’s, Phillips 66, more ...
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery, Frankfort, Ky, auctioned off five bottles of O.F.C. Vintage 1982, the distillery’s only vintage-dated bourbon and the first to be sold in a 6-liter bottle as a non-fungible token (NFT) on BlockBar.com.
Buffalo Trace Distillery donated the proceeds to the following nonprofits and organizations.
- World Central Kitchen, which provides meals in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises and is currently supporting thousands of refugees in and around Ukraine.
- The James Beard Foundation, which helps independent restaurants through the Open for Good campaign.
- Elton John Aids Foundation, which funds frontline partners to prevent new cases of HIV globally, fights stigma and provides care for those affected.
- The Art of Elysium, which is an artist organization built on the idea that through service, art becomes a catalyst for social change.
- 261 Fearless Nonprofit, which encourages and unites women through running.
Each of the five NFTs represent an authentic 6-liter bottle of O.F.C Vintage 1982, and when the NFT holder redeems one, it will also unlock an invitation to Buffalo Trace Distillery for a private tour that includes whiskey tastings from its private collection, as well as some previous vintages from the O.F.C. collection.
Casey's General Stores Inc.
Casey’s General Stores announced that 89 schools benefitted from the Cash for Class grant program, supporting projects, physical improvements and resource requests. The schools are all accredited K-12 public and nonprofit private schools in Casey’s communities across the Midwest.
This is the second year of the program, and with help from guests and partners like Keurig Dr Pepper, the grants ranged from $3,000 to $50,000, with $1 million distributed in total.
“At Casey’s, our goal is for the Cash for Classrooms grants to help schools improve the learning environment for students, teachers and families in the communities where we live and work,” said Megan Elfers, vice president of marketing at Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s.
Phillips 66
Phillips 66, Kansas City, Mo., honored teachers with its Live to the Full Heroes program, which takes place each year as part of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's and Women's Basketball Championships. Working with DonorsChoose, Phillips 66 donated $100,000 to teachers in Amarillo and Lubbock in Texas and Kansas City, Mo.
Three teachers were selected as 2022’s Live to the Full Heroes and were honored at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Basketball Championship on March 11. They received $6,600 to fund projects in their schools and classrooms.
The selected teachers includedAlexa Ybarra from Will Rogers Elementary in Amarillo, Texas; Caitlin McCartney from Guadalupe Centers High School in Kansas City, Mo.; and Andrea Smetana from Fox Hill Elementary in Kansas City, Mo.
Phillips 66 matched five times the community donations for teachers in Kansas City, Lubbock and Amarillo metro-area schools.
Smoker Friendly
Boulder, Co.-based Smoker Friendly (SF), a tobacco retailer with more than 800 tobacco retail outlets, hosted its Donation Round Up Campaign for Operation: Cigars For Warriors (CFW).
CFW is a nationwide charity whose mission is to provide cigars and cigar accessories to U.S. troops serving in active combat zones.
Over the last two years, total donations have exceeded $12,000 and thousands of donated cigars.
“SF has been a CFW supporter since 2012,” said Storm Boen, chairman and CEO of CFW. “Several of their cigar lounges and stores were some of our earliest donation centers. SF is also active in the legislative process to protect the rights of tobacco consumers. We are truly grateful for their support and partnership.”
Pilot Co.
Pilot Co., Knoxville, Tenn., raised $1,773,232 for the American Heart Association’s Life Is Why campaign. This year’s donation was the largest in the company’s six years of support, and the grand contribution total is $6.8 million.
“What an incredible turnout we had from guests and team members donating at our stores during American Heart Month,” said Brian Ferguson, chief merchant at Pilot. “On behalf of our entire team, thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this the best year yet. It's an honor to continue supporting great organizations like the American Heart Association.”
Alta Convenience
Denver-based Alta Convenience, part of CF Altitude LLC, hosted its 2021 Star Campaign and raised $200,000 for Make-A-Wish Colorado, which will grant 26 wishes. The nine Alta Convenience stores in the Canon City area contributed $38,791—the largest amount raised by any region in the state.
Customers donated by purchasing a one-dollar star to add to the wall. Stores also hosted a Wish Week where employees dressed in holiday gear and held raffles to encourage donations. CF Altitude LLC also provided a company match.
QuikTrip Corp.
QuikTrip, based in Tulsa, Okla., received the Groundbreaker Award from the Tulsa Area United Way. The award recognized QuikTrip as having the only employee campaign that reached more than $2 million, and the c-store has hit this milestone six times.
Jordan Goree, store manager and loaned executive and Damon Wright, environmental and engineering manager accepted the award on behalf of QuikTrip.
Entenmann’s Bakery
Entenmann’s Bakery, based in Islandia, N.Y., held its Mini Acts of Kindness 5K Giveaway. Customers had the chance to nominate a loved one for the chance to win 5,000 boxes of Entenmann’s Minis. One nominator and nominee pair also won a grand prize of $5,000 each.
For every nomination submitted, Entenmann’s Minis donated $1, up to $15,000, to Feeding America, a nonprofit organization that supports a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries across the country.
“At Entenmann’s, we value the idea that even mini acts of kindness can make a big impact,” said Catherine Danielowich, brand manager at Entenmann’s. “We want to celebrate the small moments that make our world a little better by giving our fans another opportunity to brighten someone’s day.”
Stewart’s Shops
Stewart’s, based in Ballston Spa, N.Y., supported 1,716 nonprofits after allocating funding and sending checks from this year’s Holiday Match donations. The program that took place from Thanksgiving Day through Christmas Day raised more than $1 million, and with Stewart’s match, doubled to more than $2 million.
“Charitable giving is a personal act of generosity and kindness,” said Jennifer Frame, director of corporate philanthropy at Stewart’s. “Stewart’s is honored that our customers have entrusted us with investing their dollars back into their communities and supporting organizations that benefit children. Sharing is a fundamental part of the Stewart’s Shops culture and we are proud to match our customers’ generosity.”
Click here to see the full list of charities receiving Holiday Match grants.
Rutter’s
York, Pa.-based Rutter’s revealed that its Children’s Charities will be donating $50,000 to local sports leagues and teams. The c-store chain plans to select 100 youth sports leagues and teams to receive $500 to use towards uniforms, equipment, travel expenses and other needs.
Applications will be accepted through April 21 on Rutter’s website. Teams must be of high school age or younger and a 501c3 organization. Rutter’s will select 100 winners by May 13.
“We’re excited to help encourage kids and young adults, to go out and be active this year through sports,” said Chris Hartman, senior director of fuels, forecourt, advertising and construction and president of Rutter’s Children’s Charities. “After a couple difficult years due to the pandemic, we thought this would be a great way to support our local community and youth sports teams. We can’t wait to see the results.”
Maverik Inc.
Maverik Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah, contributed $50,000 to the Red Cross and is holding a round-up campaign at the register through April 28 to provide humanitarian relief to those affected by the war in Ukraine.
“We’re terribly saddened by the events in Ukraine,” said Chuck Maggelet, president and chief adventure guide of Maverik. “Our hearts and minds are with everyone impacted by this conflict. Our customers and team members have expressed they also want to help, and we’re grateful to be able to activate this donation program allowing everyone to respond.”
Customers can visit their local Maverik to participate in the round-up campaign. Cash or credit donations up to 99 cents per transaction will be accepted at Maverik stores across 12 states. Donations of more than $10 can be given through Maverik’s website.
The Spinx Co.
Spinx, Greenville, S.C., raised $285,000 for the American Cancer Society. The retailer held its annual month-long, state-wide campaign to bring awareness and provide support for cancer patients and their families. The 2021 theme was Drive Out Cancer.
“As a cancer survivor myself, this campaign is near and dear to my heart,” said Stewart Spinks, chairman and founder of The Spinx Co.
With the funds raised, 11,000 individuals could be provided with 24/7 access to information and support via phone and online chats, 5,580 nights of free lodging could be provided for cancer patients when traveling away from home for treatment or 4,395 breast cancer patients could receive one-on-one peer support from a trained volunteer.
360Fuel
New Orleans, La.-based 360Fuel implemented a round-up at the pump opportunity through its Change Exchange initiative for customers to support the American Heart Association. In June 2021, the company rolled out its new Tron fuel dispensers paired with round-up technology, which allows individuals to round-up their purchases or submit a $1, $3 or $5 donation at the pump.
"With over 10 billion fuel users a year that make purchases at the pump, I know Change Exchange is going to help make our world a better place," said Logan Worthington, vice president of Change Exchange.
The campaign supports the American Heart Association’s Life is Why program. Donations help fund research, train students in CPR and support local entrepreneurs and organizations working to improve health outcomes in under-resourced communities.