Community Service Roundup, March 2020
By Hannah Hammond on Mar. 25, 2020CHICAGO — This month’s community service roundup includes retailers who are donating to COVID-19 response funds amid the coronavirus outbreak, and a retailer who is giving back after one of its employees was killed in a shooting.
Click through to see 12 retailers helping their communities …
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores, Oklahoma City, will make a $100,000 donation to the United Way of Central Oklahoma COVID-19 Response Fund.
The donation will be used by United Way’s partner agencies to address the needs of children that may arise due to the COVID-19 outbreak, such as food insecurity.
- Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores is No. 16 on the Top 40 update to CSP’s 2019 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of retail outlets. CSP will release the complete 2020 list in June.
Wawa
Wawa has distributed $30,000 to food banks in Philadelphia, Delaware and Florida to provide relief from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The donations were made through the Wawa, Pa.-based chain's The Wawa Foundation Emergency Food Distribution Fund.
Philabundance, Delaware Valley's largest food bank, received $15,000 to assist efforts to fulfill the city's unforeseen funding gap to provide emergency meal boxes to local families in need.
- Wawa is No. 10 on the Top 40 update to CSP’s 2019 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of retail outlets. CSP will release the complete 2020 list in June.
The Food Bank of Delaware received $10,000 to fund meal boxes for low-income families, children on the weekend and to help with the costs associated with three drive-thru mobile pantries.
Wawa gave $5,000 to Feeding South Florida to fund food and supplies needed to meet the increased demand for resources.
The Wawa Foundation has earmarked additional funds for more food banks or qualified nonprofit organizations. To apply, visit thewawafoundation.org.
Kum & Go
In the wake of a fatal shooting at a Kum & Go store on March 15, the Des Moines, Iowa-based company has established a fund to provide financial assistance to the family members of the deceased and those directly affected by the shooting.
A gunman opened fired at a Kum & Go in Springfield, Mo., killing four people and injuring two others. Kum & Go associate Troy Rapp, 57, was killed and store associate Jayme Gilson was injured, according to Kum & Go.
“There are no words to express the shock and sorrow many of us are feeling in the wake of this event,” Kum & Go CEO Kyle Krause said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their friends and families. We are a family business and we mourn this loss together, as a family.”
- Kum & Go is No. 18 on the Top 40 update to CSP’s 2019 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of retail outlets. CSP will release the complete 2020 list in June.
Through the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, victims’ families will have the support they need in the difficult days and weeks ahead, according to Kum & Go. The Krause family donated $75,000 to the fund, with $10,000 of that earmarked for the Springfield Police Officers Association Relief Fund.
The fund is open to others who wish to support it. Donations can be made at cfozarks.org/kumandgo.
Parker’s
Parker’s, Savannah, Ga., donated $5,000 to Disabled American Veterans (DAV), a nonprofit organization that supports men and women who have served in the military. Parker’s donated proceeds from the sale of DAV-branded refillable cups.
“These funds will go directly toward supporting America’s veterans and ensuring DAV can continue to offer exceptional service to our nation’s heroes, at no cost to the veterans or their families,” said DAV National Adjutant Marc Burgess.
QuickChek
QuickChek, Whitehouse Station, N.J., raised money for burn victims and fire prevention education at the 10th annual Cooked & Uncorked food and wine festival at the Pines Manor.
- QuickChek is No. 39 on the Top 40 update to CSP’s 2019 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of retail outlets. CSP will release the complete 2020 list in June.
The event, sponsored by the New Jersey State Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association, benefits the Saint Barnabas Burn Foundation at Saint Barnabas Medical Center and the NJFMBA Foundation. It raises about $50,000 each year.
Stewart’s Shops
Stewart’s Shops, Ballston Spa, N.Y., contributed $1,000 toward Habitat for Humanity’s projects in Rutland City. The money will be used to purchase building supplies and construction materials to transform homes for families.
- Stewart's Shops is No. 24 on the Top 40 update to CSP’s 2019 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of retail outlets. CSP will release the complete 2020 list in June.
This donation was one of many Stewart’s Shops has made recently. The chain also donated $46,287 to 81 organizations, including the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 91, Boy Scout troops and local schools.
EG Group
Through March 31, EG Group, Westborough, Mass., is offering its c-store customers an opportunity to donate to the American Cancer Society.
- EG Group is No. 6 on the Top 40 update to CSP’s 2019 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of retail outlets. CSP will release the complete 2020 list in June.
Proceeds will help the American Cancer Society fund breakthrough cancer research and life-saving services, including free rides to chemotherapy, free places to stay near treatment and a 24/7 cancer information help line.
Pilot Co.
Pilot Co. customers and team members raised $1.68 million during February’s Life Is Why We Give campaign. The money will go toward the American Heart Association to help fight against cardiovascular disease and stroke.
- Pilot Co. is No. 12 on the Top 40 update to CSP’s 2019 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of retail outlets. CSP will release the complete 2020 list in June.
The Knoxville, Tenn.-based chain’s fundraising efforts included selling paper heart icons, rounding up purchases and making online donations.
Casey’s General Stores
Casey’s General Stores, Ankeny, Iowa, held its Cash for Classrooms program as part of Casey’s Rewards.
The initiative focused on giving back to schools in the communities where Casey’s operates. Customers chose the school of their choice for a chance to receive a Cash for Classrooms donation.
- Casey's General Stores is No. 4 on the Top 40 update to CSP’s 2019 Top 202 ranking of U.S. c-store chains by number of retail outlets. CSP will release the complete 2020 list in June.
Sixteen schools received $2,500 to $5,000 to spend however they deem most valuable.
Thorntons Inc.
After tornadoes hit the Nashville area on March 2 and 3, Thorntons Inc., Louisville, Ky., donated supplies.
Nashville-area Thorntons offered designated items for free the weekend after the tornado struck. Free items for residents and relief workers included bagged ice, bottled water, fresh fruit, small fountain drinks and small cups of coffee at select locations.
“Our thoughts are with all of the residents of Nashville as they work to recover and rebuild from the devastation caused by the recent tornadoes,” said Simon Richards, president and CEO of Thorntons. “At Thorntons, we are available for our guests 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Our guests can always count on us to be there when they need us, and we are proud to support the Nashville community during this difficult time.”
VERC Enterprises
VERC Enterprises, Duxbury, Mass., presented a $500 grant to Fiske Elementary School in Lexington, Mass.
The grant was made possible through the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance program, designed to provided local retailers an opportunity to invest in the future of their communities via educational grants to neighborhood schools.
Gas Land Petroleum
Gas Land Petroleum, Kingston, N.Y., has donated to Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to help provide personal protective equipment needed to battle the coronavirus.
“We are committed to serving our community throughout the year and especially during these very challenged times," said Majed “Mitch” Nesheiwat, Gas Land Petroleum's founder and CEO. “My sons and I want to remind everyone that we are all in this together, and we urge members of the community, businesses and individuals alike to take action at this time. For those who are able, please consider making donations to hospitals, food pantries, shelters, the American Red Cross or even purchasing gift cards from local retailers or restaurants to provide financial support during mandated closures."