Members of the convenience and fuel retailing industry stepped up to help Ukraine as Russia’s military attacked the country in late February.
“We condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the huge human impact it is having for both Ukrainians and Russians,” Brian Hannasch, president and CEO of Alimentation Couche-Tard, said in a news release. The company suspended operations in Russia and implemented plans to take care of its employees in a “responsible and safe manner.”
In Russia, Couche-Tard has operated under its primary brand Circle K, including over 320 employees and 38 stores located in St. Petersburg, Murmansk and Pskov. “Couche-Tard has had stores in Russia for nearly three decades, and we are proud of our Russian team members and their dedicated service to local customers and communities,” said Hannasch.
Couche-Tard has donated more than $1.5 million to the Red Cross and created a global campaign to raise additional funds for the Ukrainian people.
Circle K’s Poland stores are offering fuel and other aid by working with the Polish Red Cross. “The fate of our friends from Ukraine is not indifferent to us, which is why starting immediate cooperation with the Polish Red Cross is a natural and obvious decision for us. We are starting aid activities so that support for those in need reaches [them] as soon as possible,” Circle K’s Polish operation said in an announcement.
SPAR International, which operates 65 SPAR supermarkets across Ukraine, set up a SPAR Ukraine support fund to help procure products locally from existing sources of supply. SPAR International is also working with colleagues in neighboring countries to establish a supply of essential goods for distribution to SPAR Ukraine’s distribution center, which is located 100 kilometers inland from the Polish border.
Meanwhile, bp CEO Bernard Looney announced that the company will donate $20 million to Ukrainian relief efforts. BP also said it exited investments in Russia’s energy industry, and Looney and former bp CEO Bob Dudley resigned their seats on Rosneft’s board.
Shell is working with aid partners and humanitarian agencies in the war-torn area to help in relief efforts. Shell is exiting its joint ventures with Gazprom, which is majority-owned by Russia, and its related entities—and ending its involvement in the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project. ExxonMobil also announced plans to exit Russia oil and gas operations and won’t invest in new developments in Russia.
Yum! Brands halted all the company’s restaurant development activities and investments in Russia and plans to redirect profits from existing restaurants in Russia to humanitarian efforts.
Yum! Brands has about 1,000 KFC restaurants and 50 Pizza Hut locations in Russia, and nearly all are operated by independent owners. The Yum! Brands Foundation is donating $1 million to the Red Cross to support those affected by the crisis, is activating the Yum! Disaster Relief Fund to support Ukrainian franchise employees and is matching donations from employees to UNICEF, Red Cross, World Food Programme and International Rescue Committee.
In The Community
Every year, the convenience and fuel retailing industry dedicates billions of dollars to advancing the futures of individuals and families in our communities. The NACS Foundation unifies and builds on NACS members’ charitable efforts to amplify their work in communities across America, and to share these powerful stories.
Learn more at www.conveniencecares.org.
1. EG America and its network of 1,700-plus convenience stores have hosted fundraising campaigns to benefit Disabled American Veterans (DAV) for several years. In 2021, the combined efforts raised more than $170,000 in July, and the November campaign raised more than $516,000.
2. The New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association (NECSEMA) delivered 120 gas cards to House of Hope Community Development Corporation, which will go to homeless Rhode Islanders who are living in their vehicles. NECSEMA’s affiliate members in Rhode Island answered the call to support the effort, including Shell Oil Company, ExxonMobil, Gulf Oil, Sunoco Inc., CITGO Petroleum and Valero Marketing.
“Upon being made aware of this dire reality, it quickly became apparent NECSEMA was in a unique position to help,” said Jonathan Shaer, NECSEMA executive director. “I’m so proud of the quick response of our members to answer this call for good, and I’m immensely grateful for House of Hope CDC’s ongoing work and their partnership. Staying warm in winter is something many of us take for granted and this is one way to help those in need.”
3. In March, The Hershey Company highlighted the “SHE” at the center of its milk chocolate bar as part of Women’s History Month celebrations. The limited-edition “Celebrate SHE” bars were available nationwide for a limited time. Hershey’s also partnered with Girls on the Run, a nonprofit organization with a mission focused on supporting, empowering and inspiring girls to realize their limitless potential. As part of the partnership, Hershey’s donated $150,000 to the organization.
4. Love’s Travel Stops’ annual Share the Love event donated $100,000 to 10 nonprofits across the U.S. on behalf of its 35,000 plus employees.
“We’re excited to be back in person this year, safely volunteering at some of our favorite organizations across Oklahoma City,” said Jenny Love Meyer, chief culture officer and executive vice president of Love’s. “It’s one of our favorite events each year, and getting to add the store team member component is a great way to make sure all our employees can participate and give back to the communities we live and work in.”
Since 2013, Love’s corporate employees have spent Valentine’s Day volunteering at Oklahoma City nonprofits for Share the Love. For this year’s event, Love’s teams voted on a nonprofit in their division to donate to, and the organization in each division that collected the most votes received $10,000.
5. Mars awarded six institutions its Forrest E. Mars Jr. Chocolate History Grant, which furthers the study of chocolate’s diverse history and its impact on past and present culture in the Americas. Since the program’s inception in 2013, Mars has awarded more than $400,000 in grant funds.
“This has resulted in continued chocolate history research, discovery and development of educational programs that have impacted thousands of people across North America, bringing better moments to people through the rich history of chocolate,” said Gail Broadright, senior director digital sales, marketing and user experience, Mars Wrigley. “This year’s grant winners will continue to contribute to the evolving global story of chocolate in people’s lives.”
Social Shares: NACS encourages retailers to share their giving-back news on social media using #ConvenienceCares.