Creating a Caring Community

The fourth annual 24/7 Day celebrated the partnerships between c-stores and those on the front lines.

Learn more about 24/7 Day and how convenience stores care for their communities on July 24, and every day of the year, in the NACS Convenience Matters podcast episode No. 342: **“How Retailers Support Local Heroes Around the Clock”**.

What better way for the industry to build on that caring culture than through the NACS Foundation Response Relief’s 24/7 Day? The fourth annual event, which took place July 24, celebrated and recognized the first responders, medical and emergency professionals, and American Red Cross volunteers who are there for their communities during times of need. The event unified the collective efforts of tens of thousands of convenience stores, which honored and thanked these workers with free beverages and sandwiches and other forms of appreciation.

“Most convenience stores are open 24/7, which is especially important during times of need, like wildfires, tornados, hurricanes or snowstorms. These are the times when communities not only rely on their local c-store for essentials but also the first responders and American Red Cross volunteers who are dedicated to keeping our communities safe,” said Stephanie Sikorski, NACS vice president of marketing and director of the NACS Foundation.

In 2018, NACS launched the first 24/7 Day with three retail partners—RaceTrac, Sheetz and Wawa. By its third year, participation had blossomed by more than 1,000% with 30,000plus convenience retail locations in the U.S., showcasing how the convenience retailing industry is stronger together. This year, the event grew even bigger, extending the reach to more than 50 convenience retailers representing more than 30,000 stores.

“Every disaster is different and will prompt unique needs for a community,” said Nathan Measom, director, cause marketing, American Red Cross. “Historically, convenience stores have been among our most valued cause marketing partners.”

NACS Foundation’s 24/7 Day has expanded to include supplier partners, too. “GSP is always focused on helping retailers communicate to their consumers,” said Kevin Farley, COO, GSP. “Convenience stores are an omnipresent, integral part of society. 24/7 Day gives us a chance as a part of that community to say thank you to a specific group of people that, like the convenience stores themselves, are just always there when we need them.”

For Keurig Dr Pepper, supporting its communities has long been part of the company culture, and 24/7 Day was a natural fit. “This was our first year participating in 24/7 Day,” said Kevin Martello, vice president, national retail sales convenience retail and industry relations, Keurig Dr Pepper. The company provided Yesway stores with a special offer for first responders on CORE Hydration water, supported with in-store signage and displays. “We also provided Keurig Dr Pepper beverage coupons to fire departments to redeem at their local Yesway as an additional thank you,” Martello said. “Partnering with Yesway and the NACS Foundation on 24/7 Day was an important opportunity for us to continue providing front-line support, while engaging with our customers and consumers.”

THE WHY
Convenience retailers give back for myriad reasons, but one undergirds them all: They want their communities to know they care and are there for them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Here’s why some convenience stores participated in this year’s 24/7 Day.

“It’s important to honor those who, just like convenience stores, are on the clock 24 hours, seven days a week to provide essential services,” said Anna Felz, marketing brand manager, TXB Stores. This is the third year TXB participated. “The people we see every day are our friends and neighbors, and we want to give back as much as we can to give our communities the support they need.”
“It’s an honor to participate in the NACS Foundation’s 24/7 Day and give back to those in our communities who give so much of themselves,” said Michael Bloom, executive vice president and chief merchandising and marketing officer, GPM Investments, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARKO Corp. “This initiative brings the entire industry together in support of a great cause.”
“NACS Foundation 24/7 Day shows our support for front-line workers, including our great store employees,” said Chris Hartman, senior director, fuels, forecourt, advertising and construction, Rutter’s. “It’s great to be part of the event because it keeps with the core values of our company. We continually seek out ways to support those who keep our community safe, healthy, happy and thriving, like our frontline workers.”
“We’re grateful for all first responders and the services they provide to our nation,” said Steve Hostetter, CEO, Tri Star Energy, the parent company of Twice Daily and Sudden Service. “Now it was our turn to serve our local first responders in the middle Tennessee and greater Huntsville, Alabama, areas on 24/7 Day.”
“NACS Foundation’s 24/7 Day astutely aligns with efforts most convenience retailers already take,” said Derek Gaskins, chief marketing officer, Yesway. “Like many other retailers, Yesway gives police, military, fire and others on duty in uniform free dispensed beverages across our stores every day. Coordinating with the NACS Foundation for 24/7 Day helped amplify that impact beyond just our stores and operating regions.”

THE WHAT
While a verbal thanks is appreciated, convenience stores know the power of providing something tangible to show appreciation for front-line workers. This year during 24/7 Day, participating convenience retailers gave a variety of products and donations to show their support to first responders.

Twice Daily and Sudden Service gave free medium fountain drinks or coffee to all first responders in uniform or who showed their badge.
TXB Stores offered first responders, medical professionals, law enforcement, 911 dispatchers and American Red Cross volunteers a free bag of TXB beef jerky and a TXB premium electrolyte one-liter water.
Chains in the GPM Investments portfolio handed out free fountain or coffee drinks to fire, police and EMTs with a valid badge or ID. The company also encouraged community members to share real stories and appreciation for hometown heroes on social media using the hashtags #247Day and #conveniencecares.
Yesway gave police, fire, first responders and Red Cross volunteers a free hot or cold beverage, as well as partnering with Keurig Dr Pepper to sell its CORE Water for $1.
Rutter’s gave a meal to any front-line worker or truck driver on both 24/7 Day and July 25.

Convenience stores know the value of giving back all year long, and many actively highlight and provide offers to different community members making a difference in the everyday lives of their customers and communities. As Felz with TXB put it, “NACS Foundation’s 24/7 Day is part of our larger initiative to ‘Leave ‘em Better.’ We are deeply committed to supporting the communities we serve each day.”

Measom added, “Partners at all levels are essential in supporting those needs, in addition to building resiliency before a disaster strikes. ... These companies understand the power of their place in the community and the tremendous impact they can have when people need help the most.”

NACS Foundation 24/7 Day Participants

A sincere thank you to all participants in the 2022 NACS Foundation 24/7 Day, as well as GSTV as the official media partner:

1 Stop
Admiral
Allsup’s
Apple Market
BreadBox
California Fuels and Convenience Alliance (CFCA)
Casey’s
The Convenience Group LLC
Delek
ExtraMile
E-Z Mart
Fas Mart
Fast Market
Golden Pantry
Golden Pantry Market
GPM Investments
GSTV (official media partner)
Handy Mart
High’s
Holiday Station Stores
Horizon Fuel Center
The Hub Convenience Stores
Huck’s
Jiffy Stop
Jiffi Stop
Latitudes
Li’l Cricket
Loop Neighborhood Market
Mickey Mart
Minit Mart
Next Door Store
Pilot Company
Quik Stop
R-Store
RaceTrac
Rapid Refill & Garrett’s Family Market
Roadrunner Markets
Rutter’s
Scotchman
Sheetz (Community Advocate Sponsor)
Shore Stop
Spinx
St. Romain Oil
Sudden Service
SunStop Stores
Town Star
Twice Daily
TXB Stores
Village Pantry
Wawa
Wakepoint
Yesway
Young’s

For a complete list of how each partner embraced 24/7 Day, visit www.247day.org.

How to Get Involved Next Year

Now more than ever, we must come together to support those who work around the clock to take care of our communities. Learn how you can get involved and partner with the NACS Foundation’s 24/7 Day in 2023.