On July 24, the U.S. convenience-store industry will unite for the eighth annual 24/7 Day, a nationwide celebration recognizing everyday heroes—including first responders, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), doctors, nurses, 9-1-1 professionals and American Red Cross volunteers—who serve their communities around the clock. Organized by the NACS Foundation, the charitable arm of the National Association of Convenience Stores, the day is a show of gratitude by the convenience-store industry.
This year’s theme, “Serving Up Thanks,” acknowledges the unique relationship between the convenience store industry and first responders, NACS said.
“As some of the only stores open around the clock, especially in times of emergency or disaster, convenience stores have a front-row seat to the bravery, sacrifice and dedication that first responders show their communities without asking anything in return,” NACS said.
Nationwide, more than 105 convenience retailing companies and brands representing 30,000 stores will have offers such as free coffee and meals or branded merchandise for first responders and Red Cross volunteers in uniform or with a valid badge.
“Every year, we honor first responders because we see the sacrifice, dedication, and bravery it takes to run toward danger when the rest of us need to evacuate,” said Kevin O’Connell, executive director of the NACS Foundation.
Retailers participating in this year’s celebration include 36 Lyn Refuel Station, Allsup’s and Yesway, bp, Car-Go Express, Casey’s, CFCA, Chestnut Market, Circle K, Coen Markets, Cubby’s, Dara’s Corner Market, EG America brands (Certified Oil, Cumberland Farms, Fastrac, Kwik Shop, Loaf ‘N Jug, Minit Mart, Quik Stop Markets, Sprint Food Stores, Tom Thumb, Turkey Hill Minit Markets), Estepp’s, Fastime, FavTrip, Garrett’s Family Market and Rapid Refill Convenience Stores, Gas N Wash, Good 2 Go, Global Partners brands (Alltown, Alltown Fresh, Honey Farms, Honey Farms Market, Jiffy Mart, Millers, Mr. Mike’s, T-Bird Minit Mart, Wheels and Xtramart), GPM Investment brands (1-Stop, Admiral, Apple Market, BreadBox, Express Stop, E-Z Mart, fas mart, fastmarket, Flash Market, Handy Mart, Jiffi Stop, Jiffy Stop Food Marts, Li’l Cricket, Next Door Store, Pride, Quarles, R Store, Roadrunner Markets, Scotchman, shore stop, Town Star, UNCLE’S, Village Pantry, Youngs), High’s, Hop Shops, Hy-Vee’s Fast and Fresh, Kwik Trip, Latitudes, Loop Neighborhood Markets, Minit Mart, Minuteman Food Mart, Mountain View Co-op, OnCue, On the Run, Onvo, Par Pacific brands (Hele and NomNom), Parker’s Kitchen, Poppy Market, Power Market Quik Mart, RaceTrac, Rhodes, Rmarts, Rutter’s, Sapp Bros, Sheetz, Shop “n” Save Market, Spinx, Sprint Mart, St. Romain Oil Co./Y-Not Stop, The Gas Spot, The Hub Convenience Stores, The Markets of Tiger Fuel Company, Toot’n Totum, Thorntons, TXB, U-Stop Convenience Shops, United Pacific (Rocket and Alta Convenience), Wawa and the Wawa Foundation and Weigel’s.
Supplier brands, including Reynolds American, SEI Investments, Rovertown and XCaliber also joined the celebration with donations. Additionally, retail partner Loop Neighborhood also supported the effort with a generous donation, NACS said.
As part of this year’s celebration, the NACS Foundation will honor its First Responder of the Year Award program, honoring outstanding individuals who go above and beyond in service to their communities.
NACS said the winner will receive:
- Free gas for a year (up to $2,500 value), compliments of media partner GSTV and a $500 gift card from InComm Payments.
- Special recognition and celebration on 24/7 Day from their hometown convenience store.
- A trip to the 2026 NACS Show in Las Vegas where they will be recognized on stage in a special ceremony.
- Donations to their local station or volunteer first responder teams.
- Gift baskets filled with their favorite convenience store treats, snacks and beverages.
Founded in 1971, Alexandria, Virginia-based NACS has more than 1,000 retail member companies that cumulatively represent more than 200,000 stores in more than 50 countries, including 90,000 stores in the United States.
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