Salt Lake City, Utah-based Maverik supports communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic through an initiative with Feeding America.
The retailer’s “Round Up Your Change for Feeding America” program, which ran July 20 through September 6 across all Maverik stores in 11 Western states, invited customers to round up their transactions to the nearest dollar to help fight hunger and benefit the Feeding America network of food banks. The donations raised will stay local, benefiting food banks in nearby communities.
“Our communities have supported us for more than 90 years, and it’s important to Maverik to give back,” said Chuck Maggelet, president and chief adventure guide of Maverik. “Because of the pandemic, the demand for food remains at an all-time high. We’re proud to team up with Feeding America to help our neighbors with food resources that will fuel their favorite adventures.”
Earlier this year, all Maverik stores participated in the first “Round Up Your Change for Feeding America” initiative. Donations generated more than $180,000 for local food banks in those communities. That campaign followed Maverik’s direct $150,000 donation to Feeding America in January to benefit six local food banks, including:
- Roadrunner Food Bank (Albuquerque)
- Idaho Food Bank (Boise)
- Three Square Food Bank (Las Vegas)
- Food Bank of Northern Nevada (Reno)
- Second Harvest Inland Northwest (Spokane)
- Food Bank of the Rockies (Wyoming)
This “Round Up Your Change for Feeding America” campaign raised funds to align with Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month in September, an annual campaign dedicated to driving awareness and inspiring action to help end hunger in America.
“The last year has brought numerous challenges for the communities we help serve.” said Lauren Biedron, vice president of corporate partnerships at Feeding America. “We are grateful to Maverik for its commitment to help end hunger and provide nourishing food to communities across the country.”
NACS has developed resources to help convenience retailers manage food waste and embark on their own food donation program. Learn more at www.convenience.org/foodwaste.
Spinx Supports Local Businesses
The Spinx Company, based in Greenville, South Carolina, donated $78,000 across four local charities: the American Red Cross, Safe Harbor, Loaves and Fishes and the Greenville Free Medical Clinic.
Representatives from each organization were invited to enjoy “Spinx Day” on July 8 at the Greenville Drive game, where the ceremonial check was presented. “It was an honor to provide this money to our beneficiaries this year, especially after such a difficult 2020,” said Stewart Spinks, chairman and founder of Spinx. “I am so proud of our team, vendors and partners for their charitable contributions, and I look forward to an exciting tournament again next year to continue to provide for those in need within our community.”
Love’s Travel Stops Donates $100,000 to Truckers Fund
Love’s Travel Stops, based in Oklahoma City, has donated another $100,000 to the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund. The nonprofit helps professional truck drivers and their families during difficult times.
“Professional truck drivers keep America moving, and this is one way we’re thanking them for all they do for the country,’’ said Jenny Love Meyer, executive vice president and chief culture officer of Love’s. “St. Christopher is a great organization that helps drivers every day, and we’re glad to continue to support the organization.”
Love’s first donated to St. Christopher in April 2020 when the company gave $100,000 to help drivers during the coronavirus pandemic. The relief fund helps with expenses like rent, mortgage, utilities, insurance and vehicle payments, as well as provides health and wellness programs for drivers.
“The trucking industry is the backbone of our economy, and professional drivers are the heart of the industry. We depend on those drivers every single day, and they can depend on St. Christopher Truckers Fund every single day,” said Shannon Currier, director of philanthropy and development for SCF. “We are humbled by the continued generosity of Love’s Travel Stops and their commitment to ensure the men and women of this industry have support when they need it most. Thank you for being a hero to our highway heroes.”
IN THE COMMUNITY
GATE Raises $40,000 for ALS
The GATE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Jacksonville-based GATE Petroleum Company, raised $40,000 for the ALS Association at GATE’s convenience stores in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Between May 1 and May 21, customers could donate $1 and sign their name on an ALS paper icon displayed in a GATE store. Customers could also donate by rounding up their purchase to the nearest dollar. Funds were allocated to local ALS chapters throughout the regions where the funds were raised.
“We continue to be overwhelmed at the generosity of our customers,” said Kathy Brady, executive director of the GATE Foundation. “In just three short weeks, customers helped us raise $40,000 to fund support programs for those impacted by ALS and research to help find a cure.”
In addition to corporate giving, the GATE Foundation conducts two paper icon and two coin box collection campaigns each year to benefit organizations that align with its mission to support efforts and services that nurture and protect the well-being of families and the community.