Community Service Roundup, November 2021
By Hannah Hammond on Dec. 10, 2021CHICAGO — This month’s charity roundup features 17 convenience stores that gave back in November as the holiday season kicks off.
EG Group, QuickChek, TravelCenters of America and Pilot Co. are among the chains featured. Click through to see this month’s giving efforts…
EG Group
EG Group, Blackburn, U.K., raised money for Disabled American Veterans (DAV) in November. Its goal was to raise more than $250,000 with money directly supporting veterans in obtaining benefits, covering medical transportation feeds, finding employment opportunities and more.
EG Group has raised $1.6 million for DAV over the past three years. All EG Group c-stores asked guests to donate an amount of their choosing to DAV at checkout. Participating stores include Cumberland Farms, Certified Oil, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf ‘N Jug, Minit Mart, Quik Stop, Tom Thumb and Turkey Hill.
Stores also provided free coffee to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day.
Island Energy Services
Island Energy Services, a licensee of the Texaco brand in Hawaii, recently celebrated the fifth anniversary of its founding with a $15,000 donation to the Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF).
“We have achieved this milestone through the hard work, dedication and passion of our valued employees and business partners,” said Island Energy’s President and CEO Jon Mauer. “These traits have guided us as a local company that focuses solely on meeting Hawaii’s energy needs now and into the future. We are mindful as we are celebrating our fifth-year anniversary that the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many local families. In recognition, and consistent with our company’s values, we felt it was important to kōkua the local communities we serve during these challenging times.”
Island Energy, Kapolei, Hawaii, is also donating 200 signed copies of local author Rusty Komori’s leadership book “Beyond The Lines” to HCF to provide additional resources for people to further strengthen their leadership capabilities.
QuickChek
QuickChek, Whitehouse Station, N.J., donated 25 cents in November for every Thanksgiving Everyday sub it sold. The money went to the Check-Out Hunger fundraising campaign, benefiting those in need during the upcoming holidays.
The limited-time QuickChek sub featured turkey, stuffing, cranberry relish and homestyle gravy.
“Thanksgiving is more than a day of thanks, it’s a season of thanks where we can help those in need during these difficult times as the holidays approach and the pandemic continues,” said QuickChek Vice President of marketing and operations Don Leech.
QuickChek has raised $858,000 for local food banks during the seven years it has been a Check-Out Hunger campaign partner.
Stripes
Stripes Stores in November raised money for the Driscoll Children’s Hospital (DCH) to benefit children and youth of south Texas. Throughout the month, stores gave customers the opportunity to donate $1 or more to raise money. Customers could purchase a $1 paper icon to donate while shopping at Stripes.
This is the 27th year Stripes partnered with Driscoll and the 12th-year anniversary of branding the Stripes Child Life Program at DCH. The program assists child life specialists to help decrease stress and anxiety that may be felt by patients and their families during their hospital experience.
Stripes has given more than $5.5 million to help local children. The company is owned by Irving, Texas,-based 7-Eleven Inc. It operates more than 380 c-stores in Texas and Louisiana.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc.
Love’s, Oklahoma City, Okla., is making several donations to charitable causes this holiday season.
The c-store chain thanked those who severed in the military by donating $150,000 to Operation Homefront and offering them a food and drink deal on Veterans Day. The donation came from the sale of special edition Operation Homefront mugs, combined with a gift from the company. Operation Homefront is a nonprofit whose mission is to build strong, stable and secure military families so they can thrive in their communities.
Love’s and its customers also raised $2.8 million through its annual Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Campaign, which took place Aug. 26 through Sept. 30. Since 1999, the company has raised more than $35 million for sick and injured children.
Another donation of more than $1 million was made to the United Way of Central Oklahoma through Love’s annual employee campaign. Since 1999, Love’s has donated more than $8.5 million to the organization, which helps residents receive shelter, food and more.
The last campaign kicked off in November was the 12 Days of Christmas giveaway, which celebrates professional truck drivers. From Nov. 26 through Dec. 7, customers could enter to win daily prizes. For each entry made, Love’s and its vendor partners donated $1 to the St. Christopher Truckers Fund, up to $25,000.
Casey’s General Stores Inc.
Casey’s, Ankeny, Iowa, asked guests throughout November to round up their purchase to benefit the Hope for the Warriors and Children of Fallen Patriots organizations.
It also partnered with PepsiCo., Purchase, N.Y., to help raise funds for the campaign.
One dollar was donated to the campaign, up to $25,000, from Pepsi every time a customer purchased the Casey’s Share Pack Meal and added a 2-liter Pepsi product. Casey’s also donated up to $100,000 by giving $1 every time the #HereForVets hashtag was used on Twitter or Instagram in November.
Children of Fallen Patriots helps military children who’ve lost a parent in the line of duty. Hope for the Warriors helps service members and their families restore a sense of self, family and hope through comprehensive support programs.
TravelCenters of America LLC
TravelCenters of America (TA), Westlake, Ohio, and its customers raised $102,000 for the St. Christopher’s Truckers Relief Fund, which supports professional drivers and their families when an injury or illness prevents them from working. TA held a Register RoundUp campaign from July 1 through Sept. 6 to raise the funds. Guests could round up their check to the nearest dollar on purchase at TA, Petro and TA Express locations nationwide. TA has supported the fund since 2010, raising nearly $3 million in total contributions.
In November, TA teamed up with Mobil Delvac to donate $50,000 to Folds of Honor, an organization providing educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members. This is the fifth year that TA and the heavy-duty diesel engine oil brand joined to support the organizations. To date, the companies have donated a total of $250,000 to Folds of Honor.
Enmarket
Enmarket, Savannah, Ga., encouraged its customers throughout September to donate at checkout to the Georgia – South Carolina Region of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Light The Night campaign. The 2021 initiative raised more than $125,000 to help fight blood cancers.
“Over the past nine years, Enmarket’s customers have joined with us in raising nearly $900,000 to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during this campaign,” Enmarket President Brett Giesick said. “Next year, when we support Light the Night for the tenth year, our goal is to cross the million-dollar mark.”
Rutter's
Rutter’s, York, Pa., and Rutter’s Children’s Charities donated $20,000 to For the Love of a Veteran in honor of Veterans Day in November.
The nonprofit raises money for troops who are deployed and homeless veterans. They also raise awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder.
“We’re very appreciative of all those who selflessly serve our country each and every day,” said Chris Hartman, president of Rutter’s Children’s Charities. “It was an easy decision to support For the Love of a Veteran because of the amazing work they do for any veteran in need of assistance throughout our communities.”
GPM Investments LLC
GPM, Richmond, Va., a wholly owned subsidiary of ARKO Corp., is raising money through a pinup program with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Through Dec. 17, pinups purchased by customers will be displayed in about 1,400 store locations across GPM’s store footprint.
Customers can purchase the MDA holiday pinups in stores for $1 or round up their purchase as a donation. Those who purchase a pinup at the store will receive a buy-one-get-one-free coupon for a 1.76-ounce Hi-Chew or a 20-ounce bottle of 7UP and Canada Dry family beverages.
GPM and its customers have contributed more than $1.5 million since 2021 to MDA in support of its mission of transforming the lives of people with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular diseases.
Pilot Co.
A 17-year-old’s quick thinking and bravery when her car caught fire at a Pilot Travel Center in Greenville, Tenn., earned her recognition from her school and Pilot Co., Knoxville, Tenn.
Jada Tweed, a high school senior, was pumping gas in October when a fire flared up. She evacuated her younger siblings from the car and calmly alerted the store team members so the gas pump could be turned off, Pilot Co. said.
Pilot Co. Senior Manager of Giving and Events Meg Counts and General Manager Sheila Whitaker attended the assembly in Tweed’s honor at North Greene High School and offered Tweed free fuel for a year and a $1,500 Pilot Flying J gift card. They also arranged for Harper Auto Square in Knoxville to replace Tweed’s car.
“We hope it helps Jada get to her future destinations safely,” Counts said.
In a separate initiative, Pilot Co. and its customers raised $1.8 million through a three-week in-store roundup campaign to benefit the Call of Duty Endowment. The nonprofit organization is committed to placing veterans into high-quality jobs after their service.
Gulf Oil
Gulf Oil, Wellesley Hills, Mass., donated $25,000 to the Gerald and Darlene Jordan Boys & Girls Club in Chelsea, Mass. The donation benefits the club’s technology room through upgrades and resources like Adobe software, new computers and a 3D printer.
Members of Gulf’s leadership team presented the donation at an event in September. Devin McCourty, Patriots defensive back, was at the event to voice his support for the club and host a Q&A.
"Bridging the digital divide for kids within the Boston area has been an initiative of mine throughout my time in New England. It has been refreshing to work with Gulf as they aim to do their part in helping students gain access to the tools they need," McCourty said.
The company invited about 50 Jordan Boys & Girls Club members in fifth through seventh grades to join the event. Those in attendance received Gulf- and Patriots-branded giveaways.
Gulf has donated $75,000 this year in support of youth organizations in the Boston area.
Parker Corp.
Parker Corp., Savannah, Ga., unveiled plans in November for a new Parker’s House: A Home for Women.
The facility will be in Savannah and will be coastal Georgia’s only facility solely dedicated to providing emergency housing and comprehensive services for unaccompanied women experiencing homelessness, Parker Corp. said. It’s expected to open in first-quarter 2022.
The 10,590-square-foot facility will offer emergency housing, onsite case workers, a residential assistant and support services for up to 32 women for 90 days. The space includes a common kitchen, living room, dining room, computer room and laundry room.
Parker’s made a $250,000 donation to Union Mission from the Parker’s Community Fund, administered by the Savannah Community Foundation, to support Parker’s House. Union Mission cares for Savannah’s homeless community by offering emergency, transitional and permanent housing solutions for those in need.
Stewart’s Shops
Stewart’s Shops, Ballston Spa, N.Y., kicked off the 35th Annual Stewart’s Holiday Match campaign on Thanksgiving Day. The program runs through Christmas Day and supports nonprofit organizations impacting children.
Last year, customers donated $895,000 to the program, which doubled to nearly $1.9 million with Stewart’s match. By Dec. 9, donations for the latest campaign had already reached $477,983, the company said, which totals more than $944,000 with Stewart’s match.
Local organizations impacting children are encouraged to apply for funding online. The deadline for submission is Jan. 31.
Tri Star Energy
Tri Star Energy, Nashville, Tenn., celebrated the grand opening of a Twice Daily c-store and White Bison Coffee on Nov. 30 in Huntsville, Ala.
Twice Daily under its Thrive program donated trees to the Huntsville Parks and Recreation department and White Bison Coffee provided a monetary donation to the local Salvation Army chapter.
The Thrive program started in 2018 as a sustainability program to help improve community support and the environment. Thrive plants trees locally every time someone fills up at a Twice Daily location.
Quicklee’s Convenience Stores
Quicklee’s Convenience Stores, Avon, N.Y., will be an official drop off location for the News 10 NBC and Marine Reserves Corps Toys for Tots holiday toy drive. This is the second year that the c-store chain will be an official partner of the programs, with 18 of its 25 locations participating.
Last year, Toys for Tots collected more than 79,000 toys that were donated to 25,000 children. More than $53,000 was collected program wide.
Donations are most needed for newborns to 3-year-olds and 13-to-17-year-olds. Donations must be new and unwrapped before being deposited in a store box.
Kum & Go
Kum & Go, Des Moines, Iowa, celebrated the launch of its new, custom-branded sneaker, the Ampersand1, with a donation of 50 pairs to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Iowa.
Kum & Go CEO Tanner Krause hand-delivered the sneakers to a local club where he got feedback on the design from club members.
“When we decided to take our Kum & Go merchandise to the next level with the Ampersand1’s, we wanted our shoes to go to people who would wear and appreciate them,” Krause said. “Given our years-long partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs, it made sense to engage their members. These kids are doing their part both in school and out of school to stay on track academically. We wanted to reward their hard work by bringing them custom sneakers. Seeing the kids’ reactions to the sneakers was an absolute joy.”
Feeding America
Hunger relief organization Feeding America, Chicago, is launching a new campaign through its food donation platform, MealConnect. MealConnect is a website that allows retailers to donate wholesome surplus food directly to local network food banks and pantries—and it’s starting a campaign to show retailers how rescuing food is as easy as peeling a banana.
The platform is nearing a milestone of donating 3 billion pounds of rescued food, which translates into about 2.5 billion meals. MealConnect launched in 2017 and has connected retailers with 10,200 nonprofit partners to date.
“Reaching 3 billion pounds of food rescued through MealConnect is a testament to the progress that’s been made; however, it’s only a fraction of the consumable, good food that is wasted every year,” said Tony Pupillo, managing director of retail food industry partnerships at Feeding America. “Through our new campaign, we’re hoping to reach more independent retailers to show how easy it is to conduct ongoing food rescue through MealConnect, work with their community to nourish their neighbors facing hunger and reduce food insecurity.”
MealConnect’s process to collect food from independent retailers is done in three steps:
- Retailers share surplus food items to the platform
- MealConnect’s algorithm offers the donation to community foodbanks and pantries.
- Once a food bank or pantry accepts, the retailer receives an email confirming pickup time and the local Feeding America food bank is on call to support the food transfer.