Community Service Roundup, May 2023
By Rachel Gignac on Jun. 09, 20237-Eleven
7-Eleven, Irving, Texas, kicked off its Operation Chill outreach program. Now in its 28th year, Operation Chill allows law enforcement officers to create positive connections by awarding a coupon to kids they see doing good deeds or exhibiting positive behavior, which can be redeemed for a free small Slurpee drink at participating 7-Eleven, Speedway or Stripes stores.
“By bringing local law enforcement officers and neighborhood kids together, we are helping to create positive long-term relationships that are key to building thriving communities,” said Marissa Jarratt, executive vice president and chief marketing and sustainability officer at 7–Eleven. “And with Speedway stores now participating in Operation Chill, we are thrilled to be bringing this popular community engagement program to even more neighborhoods than ever this summer.”
This year, 7-Eleven will issue nearly 500,000 coupons to more than 1,300 participating law enforcement agencies across the country, that will be rewarded to children in their local communities.
Wawa
Wawa, Wawa, Pennsylvania, provided a $1 million grant to Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida to increase the amount of fresh produce sent home with kids who are experiencing food insecurity.
The goal of Wawa and Second Harvest’s “Fly Beyond” pilot program is to reach more than 53,000 households over a 12-month period through two of the food bank’s childhood hunger prevention initiatives: the School Partnerships and Summer Food Service programs.
In addition to giving Second Harvest the ability to purchase and distribute more fresh produce, the funding will:
- Add 10 new Fresh Market sites at local schools.
- Transform the Kids Pack initiative into a Family Weekend Meal Bag that will contain nutritious foods equal to 10 meals per household.
- Enhance the Summer Food Service Program with a take home bag filled with fresh produce and other pantry staples each week.
- Provide reusable and insulated tote bags for both programs.
- Add customized display carts at 35 Fresh Market schools—making it easier for students to grab fresh produce as they head home.
Rutter’s
Rutter’s, York, Pennsylvania, raised more than $880,000 to benefit local charities at its annual Charity Golf Outing. This is the largest amount raised at the outing since it began in 2003.
This year, Ed Reed, former professional American football player, made a guest appearance. To thank him for his support, Rutter’s Children’s Charities donated $75,000 to the Ed Reed Foundation, which provides character-building opportunities to at-risk youth.
“We’re extremely grateful to Rutter’s suppliers and partners for their outstanding support of Rutter’s Children’s Charities 21st Annual Outing,” said Chris Hartman, president of Rutter’s Children’s Charities. “As always, all of their generous donations will help benefit local children, and charitable organizations, throughout our communities.”
TravelCenters of America
TravelCenters of America, Westlake, Ohio, launched its annual round up campaign in support of the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund (SCF). Through Labor Day guests at participating TA, Petro and TA Express locations can round up their purchase to the nearest dollar. The difference will be donated directly to SCF to help support professional drivers who have experienced an injury or illness that has taken them off the road within the last year.
“Professional drivers are the backbone of the nation’s economy and TA is committed to supporting drivers in need by easing the financial burden brought on by health concerns,” said Jon Pertchik, CEO of TA. “This annual campaign is part of our wholistic approach to the health and well-being of professional drivers; we remain committed to also providing services and amenities like healthy food options and fitness centers to help them stay healthy while on the road.”
QuikTrip
QuikTrip, Tulsa, Oklahoma, donated a portion of Big Q drink sales to Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that helps provide the families of fallen and disabled service members and first responders educational opportunities and financial assistance.
Folds of Honor and QT are committed to honoring the sacrifice of America’s heroes by helping equip their loved ones with necessary support to achieve their academic ambitions and life goals. Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, there have been 3,671 recipients totaling $15.2 million in scholarships in the markets that QT operates in. Through the long-standing partnership between QT and Folds of Honor, the organizations will continue working together to fuel the dreams of military and first responder families.
Casey’s
Casey’s, Ankeny, Iowa, provided Cash for Classrooms grants to 79 local schools and education-focused non-profits. The Cash for Classrooms grant program bebefits students and teachers in Casey’s communities across the Midwest. With support from its guests and partners like LIFEWTR, Casey’s distributed $1 million to schools in need. The grants ranged from $3,000 to $50,000, and the funding priorities included physical improvements, material needs, teacher support and community engagement.
“Through Casey’s Cash for Classrooms program, our grants are providing meaningful impact, helping create better learning environments and improving the lives of children and educators,” said Katie Petru, director of communications and community at Casey’s. “We’re grateful to our guests and partners who help us fund these grants each year. At Casey’s, we are committed to preparing the next generation of leaders in our local communities.”
Stewart’s Shops
Stewart’s Shops, Ballston Spa, New York, donated $100,000 to the Wilton Wildlife Preserve for a project to develop an Outdoor Education Center that will become the focal point for visitors and users of Camp Saratoga. This Center is being named after Larry Gordon, a long-time transformative Wilton leader and Saratoga County planner who spent most of his life protecting, enhancing and promoting the conservation of the landscape of Camp Saratoga. The Center will also feature exhibits from the Larry Gordon Historic Scouting Collection.
The approximately 2,400 acres of protected land, with its diversity of habitats, is the home of the endangered Karner blue butterfly and provides public access through an extensive, multi-use trail system of more than 25 miles. The success of the unique public/private partnership between the Town of Wilton, Saratoga County, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park has contributed greatly to the year-round use of Camp Saratoga and the significant growth of the programming of the Wilton Preserve over the past years.
Royal Farms
Royal Farms, Baltimore, partnered with the Maryland Hospital Association to give away 250 coupons for free coffee to health care workers at 52 local hospitals for National Hospital Week.
The Maryland Hospital Association serves nonprofit hospitals and health systems in Maryland through collective action to shape policies, practices, financing and performance to advance health care and the health of all Marylanders.
“Royal Farms is honored to support this year’s theme #WeAreHealthcare and thank our Maryland health care workers with a free coffee,” said Aliyah Atayee, public relations for Royal Farms. “We excitedly take advantage of opportunities like National Hospital Week to recognize the remarkable people working hard to continuously support their communities.”
Pilot Co.
Pilot Co., Knoxville, Tennessee, donated $100,000 to Hire Heroes USA.
Hire Heroes USA is a veteran employment nonprofit that has helped thousands of military members, veterans and military spouses successfully transfer their skills into the civilian workforce. The $100,000 donation from Pilot will provide Hire Heroes USA with the resources needed to guide more military members through the transition process, including placing more veterans into careers at Pilot.
Pilot Co. also thanked service members and their families with several free offers in the myRewards Plus app throughout May.
“From our Pilot family to all the military families across the country, thank you for your bravery, service and sacrifice,” said Brian Ferguson, chief merchant at Pilot Co. and Air Force veteran. “This Military Appreciation Month, we want to show our gratitude by treating service members to free snacks and drinks during their travels and by joining Hire Heroes USA to connect veterans with resources and opportunities to pursue their career ambitions after leaving the service.”
Mapco
MAPCO, Franklin, Tennessee, unveiled its on-site “Fueling Our Future” dedicated gas pumps benefiting the students at Mt. Juliet High School this month. The pumps will be open through June 17, with MAPCO donating 25 cents to the Bears’ athletic and arts programs for every gallon pumped in support of local youth recreation and artistic development.
The pumps were part of the chain’s grand opening of its new store in Wilson County, Tennessee.
“At MAPCO, we are always looking for new ways to give back to the communities where we live and serve,” said Frederic Chaveyriat, CEO at MAPCO. “We are honored to celebrate this new store by giving back to local youth recreation. We invite the Wilson County community to come out, enjoy MAPCO’s unparalleled customer service and quality products, and help us ‘Fuel Our Future’ through the donation pumps.”
Alltown Fresh
The Ayer, Massachusetts, Alltown Fresh culinary team went to Fort Devens, Massachusetts, a U.S. Army Reserve, to celebrate its 115th birthday. In recognition of the event, as well as Military Appreciation Month in May, chefs served up a BBQ-centric menu that included smoked wagyu brisket, beef ribs, yard birds and sides. Alltown Fresh shared lunch with more than 125 reservists.
Additionally, no matter what time of the year it is, all military and first responders can get free coffee from Alltown Fresh, a c-store brand of Global Partners LP, Waltham, Massachusetts.
RaceTrac
RaceTrac, Atlanta, offered free small Crazy Good Coffee during Teacher Appreciation Week to educators, administrators and school staff with a valid faculty or staff ID.
“Teachers dedicate their careers to building better futures in the communities they serve,” said Melanie Isbill, chief marketing officer at RaceTrac. “As we approach the end of the school year, it is our pleasure to welcome school staff to their local RaceTrac for a small token of appreciation for the work they do year-round.”
SpartanNash
Byron Center, Michigan-based SpartanNash held a fundraiser for Honor and Remember, Operation Homefront and Convoy of Hope to honor military and disaster relief heroes.
Store guests who visit any participating SpartanNash-owned retail stores including Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets, D&W Fresh Market, Forest Hills Foods and fuel centers during the fundraiser could donate $1, $5 or $10 at checkout or round up their total to the nearest dollar to support the company’s three partners. Online donations were also possible through Fast Lane. All funds raised during the fundraiser will be equally distributed among the three nonprofit organizations.
Circle K, Graham C-Stores and SavOn Convenience Stores
Circle K (Laval, Quebec), Graham C-Stores (Vernon Hills, Illinois) and SavOn Convenience Stores (Saratoga Springs, New York) are partnering with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), which revealed more than 1,000 retail partners that are participating with customer pinup, roundup or giving campaigns through October.
The funds raised go toward accelerating research, advancing care and advocating to empower families living with neuromuscular disease. This campaign also supports MDA Summer Camp for kids and young adults ages eight to 17 living with muscular dystrophy or related neuromuscular diseases.
TXB
TXB, Spicewood, Texas, raised $113,000 for Texas CASA chapters, a child protection nonprofit, through the Doyce Taylor Memorial 27th Annual Fishing and Golf Classic Tournament. TXB has donated nearly $1,000,000 to the nonprofit since 2008 to support the local Texas communities which it serves.
Weiler Convenience Stores
Weiler Convenience Stores, with three local, family-owned locations in Marshfield, Wisconsin, donated $2,126.50 each to two animal welfare organizations in the community, the Midwest Horse Welfare Foundation (MHWF) and the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter (MAPS).
The fundraising initiative was spearheaded by Kelly Weiler, owner of Weiler Convenience Stores, who has a strong passion for animal welfare. Demonstrating its commitment to making a positive impact in the community, Weiler Convenience Stores launched a campaign where customers could purchase custom-designed t-shirts, with all proceeds earmarked for the MHWF and MAPS.