Above: Huck’s Convenience Stores donated more than $50,000 to Kentucky storm victims.
On December 10, 2021, at least 40 tornadoes were reported across nine states, leaving at least 9 people confirmed dead. Communities in Western Kentucky and other affected states are still trying to pick up the pieces following the devastating storms.
Convenience retailers are practiced at helping their communities recover following natural disasters, and many stepped up to donate funds, goods and manpower.
“Our hearts go out to the individuals affected by the horrific tornadoes and storms,” said Michael Davis, NACS vice president, member services. “Convenience stores are inextricably linked to their communities and help to strengthen the areas and people that they serve. We applaud their efforts to support those in need during this time of crisis.”
Here are some of the many convenience retailers who jumped in to support the affected communities:
Casey’s, based in Ankeny, Iowa, collected donations for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief at the register via the “round up” function in all of its stores in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee through December 31. Casey’s also donated $10,000 to the American Red Cross and sent a truckload of water to the impacted area.
Double Kwik collected donations for its neighbors in Western Kentucky affected by the deadly tornadoes and storms. All funds raised will be sent to the Christian Appalachian Project (CAP), which worked on-site in Western Kentucky assisting with relief efforts. Through the Mountain Heart Campaign, Double Kwik collected monetary donations via paper hearts purchased at any dollar amount at all 40 locations. Double Kwik also donated $10,000 and delivered a tractor-trailer full of drinking water.
West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee sent 37 employees to Kentucky and Tennessee to help with recovery efforts from the tornadoes. The company also sent 10 semitrucks filled with snacks and water, six disaster recovery pickup trucks and three SUVS, along with a command center.
Huck’s Convenience Stores donated over $50,000 to storm victims in Kentucky. Donations were accepted at store registers, and 100% of all proceeds went directly to the United Way and local Kentucky organizations in the storm-affected areas.
Thortons, based in Louisville, Kentucky, announced a $20,000 contribution from an in-store fundraising initiative in December 2021 to aid in tornado recovery efforts. The company selected the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund as the recipient of this donation to assist Kentuckians who were impacted by the tornadoes and the severe weather system overnight on December 10, 2021. Thorntons committed up to $100,000 to support disaster recovery efforts in some of the hardest hit communities.
Tri Star Energy, the parent company of Twice Daily and White Bison Coffee, strengthened its existing partnership with the Red Cross to help those in need in Kentucky after the tornadoes. The company donated $5,000 to relief efforts, with the team raising additional funds as a holiday fundraiser through the end of 2021, and also delivered cases of water.
The NACS Foundation Response Relief program partners with the American Red Cross to support the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross and spotlights our industry’s important role in supporting local heroes and the communities we serve. Learn more at www.conveniencecares.org/our-programs/response-relief.
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. Tiger Fuel Company, based in Charlottesville, Virginia, made a $20,000 contribution to JackFest, a family-friendly festival that supports families battling child- hood cancer in Central Virginia. This year’s festival takes place on March 27 at Foxfield in Albemarle County, Virginia.
2. Weigels Inc., based in Powell, Tennessee, contributed $45,000 to Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, a nonprofit whose mission is to enhance the physical and psychological quality of life for wounded veterans and their families with a mobility assistance service dog.
3. OnCue, a Stillwater, Oklahoma-based convenience store chain, sold thousands of “Support Local Schools” fundraiser cups, giving 50 cents from every cup to each store’s local school district for a total of over $15,000. The cup campaign ran from July to the end of September 2021. OnCue operates stores in 24 Oklahoma school districts, each of which was a recipient of the $15,000 gift.
4. Rutter’s Children’s Charities, the nonprofit arm of York, Pennsylvania-based Rutter’s, donated $75,000 during the 2021 Secret Santa Program to support charities picked by select employees to support children, education and local community efforts.
NACS encourages retailers to share their giving-back news on social media using #ConvenienceCares.