Community Service Roundup, September 2019
By Hannah Hammond on Sep. 20, 2019CHICAGO — This community-service roundup features the charitable efforts of three convenience-store retailers and five industry suppliers.
Click through to read more about these initiatives…
Casey’s General Stores
Casey’s General Stores in 16 states are supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association through September. The association helps children and adults living with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular diseases.
Casey’s associates will invite guests to round up their purchase to the nearest whole dollar to support MDA families. Proceeds will support MDA’s care center network, research and summer camps for children living with muscular dystrophy. Since 2006, the Ankeny, Iowa-based chain has raised more than $11 million in support of MDA’s mission.
It is also holding an MDA Muscle Team Dinner and Auction in November to support MDA families.
Casey’s General Stores founder and chairman
Casey’s General Stores founder and longtime chairman and CEO has provided a $2.9 million gift to establish The Donald F. and Charlene K. Lamberti Center for Rural Entrepreneurship at Buena Vista University.
Donald Lamberti, a longtime member of the BVU Board of Trustees, worked to build his first mom and pop convenience store in 1968 into Casey’s. The Ankeny, Iowa-based chain has nearly 2,100 c-stores in the Midwest.
The Lamberti gift, along with an anonymous $500,000 donation, will allow Storm Lake, Iowa-based BVU to offer innovative courses and programs while developing a minor in rural entrepreneurship that will be available to all students. It will also enable advanced opportunities for business majors, according to the university.
Kwik Trip
La Crosse, Wis.-based Kwik Trip raised $81,000 during its 2019 coin canister campaign.
The money will support Partnership for a Healthier America, which works to ensure children grow up healthy and free from obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic conditions.
The campaign has raised more than $417,000 in six years.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc. is raising money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
Love’s employees will sell Miracle Balloons for $1, $5 and $20 and hold events to raise money for sick and injured children. Customers can also round up their change to the nearest dollar. The campaign, in its 20th year, runs through Sept. 30.
On Sept. 29 and 30, customers can also purchase a large coffee or hot beverage for $1, with all proceeds going to the hospital network.
The Oklahoma City-based chain hopes to raise more than $3.64 million through the campaign. Love’s has raised more than $28 million for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals since 1999.
Krispy Krunchy Chicken
Krispy Krunchy Chicken has partnered with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society—the world’s largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer—for its Krunch for a Cure program. The Alexandria, La.-based company donated 100% of its corporate profits from the sale of the Krispy Krunchy Chicken Sandwich to the society to fund research, help families and save lives, according to the company.
The Krunch for a Cure program was conducted in more than 2,400 stores and ran through June 28.
Antunes
At its annual golf outing Sept. 6, Antunes raised $78,000 for Splash, a nonprofit that helps provides access to clean water.
The Carol Stream, Ill.-based company also serves as a product supplier for Splash. The organization has purchased and installed more than 1,140 of the company’s water filtration systems that provide clean water to more than 430,000 people each day.
Conagra Brands
The Conagra Brands Foundation has awarded $350,000 to 23 local nonprofits through its Nourish Our Community grant program. Employees submitted nominations for nonprofits that serve communities where Conagra offices, plants and facilities are located. A panel of employees reviewed the proposals and picked 23 to be awarded a one-year grant.
The Chicago-based branded food company gave grants to organizations in several states, including Nebraska, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana and Maryland.
Hormel Foods
Hormel Foods Corp.’s Community Donations Program has raised $300,000 to donate to more than 30 hunger-relief organizations throughout the U.S.
The Austin, Minn.-based company is presenting donations this month in support of Hunger Action Month in September.
Donations being presented this month include $10,000 to The Food Bank of Iowa in Algona, Iowa; $10,000 to The Lord’s Diner in Wichita, Kan.; $10,000 to the Clarke County Food Pantry in Osceola, Iowa; $5,000 to the Meals on Wheels program and $5,000 to the Salvation Army in Austin, Minn.; $10,000 to the Rochelle Area Community Foundation in Rochelle, Ill.; and $10,000 to Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless in Atlanta.
Clif Bar & Co.
Through Emeryville, Calif.-based Clif Bar & Co.’s employee giving and engagement program, Clif Corps, employees are encouraged to volunteer on company time toward an annual goal.
One day a year, the company volunteers together in one location or at various locations. In 2019, teams focused on the national parks and worked in more than 20 locations.
Have a community-service announcement of your own to share? Send related news to Hannah Prokop at hprokop@winsightmedia.com.