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HOW YOUR FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORES GIVE BACK
March 14, 2019 by Ally Azzarelli – With more than 153K convenience store operating in the U.S., it’s nice to know that your local c-store is doing more for your community than simply serving up coffee and snacks. From scholarships to feeding the hungry – here’s a look at what some of today’s leading retailers such as Circle K, Pilot Flying J and Wawa are doing to help the neighborhood.
CEFCO
CEFCO supports education through its C.E. Fikes Endowed Scholarships as well as healthcare and medical research through a variety of partnerships and fundraisers. CEFCO’s in-store balloon sales programs and annual golf tournaments have helped the company make significant donations to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Habitat for Humanity.
Casey’s General Store
“We believe in neighbors helping neighbors,” states Casey’s General Store charitable-giving page. “That’s why we’re committed to helping local organizations make a difference in their communities.” The Iowa-based c-store proudly contributes to organizations through sponsorships, food and monetary donations as well as offers fundraising cards to assist non-profit youth organizations.
Circle K
This corporate giant with the huge heart helps financially sponsor and support a lengthy list of causes including the Make a Wish® Foundation, the Red Cross, cancer research, children’s charities, disaster recovery aid, Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics, the United Way and the March of Dimes, just to name a few. Additionally, hundreds of Circle K stores raise money for schools through its Fueling Our Schools donation program and once a year, on Fuel Up Night, the company celebrates with its communities and makes a generous donation.
Cumberland Farms
Feeding the hungry, serving disabled veterans, supporting libraries and schools, fundraising to fight cancer, Cumberland Farms is known for giving back to the community. Other organizations that benefit include the United Way and the American Red Cross. The company has also held their Cups for Kids fundraising campaign, a month-long project that benefits pediatric care programs at five hospitals in the Northeast – including Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts.
7-Eleven
It’s challenging to find a cause the world’s largest convenience store chain isn’t supporting – you name it … Military, women, children, the environment, this c-store is actively involved with helping all the communities it serves. 7-Eleven has its own charitable programs including: Project A-Game, a community outreach program that offers youth development opportunities through education, fitness, safety and hunger relief, as well as, 7-Eleven Operation Chill program, the company’s community outreach program designed to reduce crime and enhance relations between police and youth.
MAPCO
Established in 2017, the MAPCO Giveback Program raises funds to benefit local children’s non-profits and charitable events within the MAPCO footprint. The MAPCO Giveback Tournament offers its partners the opportunity to help the company through a variety of sponsorships.
Pilot Flying J
Pilot Flying J was founded by a veteran and proudly employs and serves veterans. Pilot Flying J’s Fueling Life’s Journeys program supports 20+ nonprofit organizations including Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Feeding America, Hire Heroes, Teach for America and Trucking Cares Foundation.
Thorntons
Passionate about giving back to the communities where its employees and guests live and work, Thorntons team members volunteer via community service, humanitarian day events, and fundraising projects. Additionally, Thorntons local stores focus its efforts on ending childhood hunger in America. The company welcomes nonprofit organizations to contact them for sponsorship consideration.
Yesway
Through a partnership with Operation Homefront, Yesway supports, honors, and meets the needs of current and former members of the U.S. military and their families. The Iowa-based retailer makes a lump sum donation as well as donates a portion of every Yesway-branded spring and purified water sold in its stores.
Wawa
The Wawa Foundation is committed to building strong communities. The company supports health by sponsoring life-saving research and care for people in need, leading hunger relief efforts and helps local military, veterans, first responders and other heroes. The Pennsylvania-based c-store chain also proudly partners with the American Red Cross.
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