Overall, 91% of convenience stores support local charities such as church groups, shelters, food banks and other non-sports groups. In addition, more than three in four retailers (76%) contribute to youth sports groups and more than two-thirds (69%) contribute to local schools via PTAs and other fundraising activities.
Most convenience retailers are engaged with multiple charities; two in three convenience retailers (66%) say they support five or more charities in their communities. Overall, the median charitable contribution per store is $3,925 in direct contributions and $3,054 in donations collected. Cumulatively, the estimated 155,000 convenience stores in the United States contribute or collect $1.03 million a year to benefit charitable groups.
In addition, convenience stores also contribute to local charities during specific times of need. Four in five convenience store companies (75%) say they’ve made donations when there was a specific emergency or crisis in the community.
“We often say in our industry that ‘c-store’ doesn’t just stand for convenience store; it’s stands for community store, and these results clearly demonstrate the commitment our industry has to the communities they serve,” said Jeff Lenard, NACS vice president of strategic industry initiatives.
Retailers participating in the survey noted that their convenient locations in communities also make them convenient locations for groups to hold events: 61% allow their property to be used by local groups for fundraising events, whether car washes, cookie sales or direct fundraising.
More than three in four (76%) retailers also say they make local product/food donations to food banks and other groups to support those in need; of this group, 67% donate food and 76% donate beverages.
“Being a small, local chain, we like to keep our charitable giving to local organizations, where our customers know the people it is benefiting and can see their donations at work,” said Dennis McCartney with Landhope Farms, located in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.
A total of 90 NACS member companies, representing a cumulative 1,494 stores, participated in the NACS Fourth Quarter of 2018 Retailer Sentiment Survey that featured questions about charitable giving.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Parker’s CEO Greg Parker (left) and Georgia Southern University’s College of Business Dean Allen C. Amason.
Parker’s CEO Greg Parker recently made a $5 million gift to the Georgia Southern University Foundation, Inc.—the single largest gift in the university’s history to support the College of Business.
On November 13, 2018, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved the naming of the Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern University, with campuses in Statesboro, Savannah and Hinesville. The new funding will establish the Parker Business Scholars Program, Parker Business Scholarship Fund and Parker Faculty Support Fund.
NOCO Express and its customers generously donated $14,309 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Western & Central New York Chapter. NOCO Express customers had the opportunity to make a $1 donation at any of the company’s 39 locations throughout September 2018.
Pilot Flying J celebrated its 60th anniversary in November 2018 by announcing donations totaling $2 million in honor of its history of giving back and commitment to fueling life’s journeys into the future. More than 20 nonprofit organizations received contributions, each reflective of the causes that are important to Pilot Flying J’s guests and team members and the values upon which the company was built.
Rapid Refill raised $152,464 for the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter.
Rapid Refill Convenience Stores, part of Volta Oil, teamed up with the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter for the eighth year, raising $152,464 at 15 store locations for the annual Purple Pump Up for Alzheimer’s campaign. Purple Pump Up for Alzheimer’s was led by Jim Garrett, chairman of Volta Oil and a past board member for the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter.