SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. -- Donations to Stewart's Shops set a record in 2014 for its Stewart's Holiday Match donation program, the convenience store retailer said. From Thanksgiving Day to Christmas Day, customers donated more than $770,000, resulting in more than $1.54 million with the company's contribution that doubles the amount the stores collect.
The previous record was in 2011, at $1.39 million. This year's campaign was a 15% increase in donations compared to the past two years, which reached $1.34million, said the company. After this year's funds have been distributed, the Stewart's Holiday Match program will have allocated more than $20 million since the program's inception in 1986. All the money donated goes to charity; there are no administrative costs, Stewart's said.
Children's organizations in the chain's 31 counties can apply for funding starting Thanksgiving Day through January 31. Stewart's matches individual donations--it collects donations from businesses or groups, but does not match them. It distributes the funds in March. The collection period has now closed.
Applications are available at the c-stores and on the company's website. All groups applying must be locally based, benefit children under 18 and be a qualified, charitable 501c3 organization.
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based Stewart's Shops operates more than 300 convenience stores located across upstate New York and southern Vermont.
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