Maverik supported people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through two initiatives with Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization.

The convenience retailer, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, made a $150,000 contribution to Feeding America, followed by its “Round Up the Change for Feeding America” program.

“It’s important to Maverik to give back to the communities where we live and work,” said Chuck Maggelet, president and chief adventure guide of Maverik. “The current pandemic has propelled millions into food insecurity, and food banks are responding to the surge in demand. We are proud to team up with Feeding America to offer our neighbors additional resources to help them obtain access to nutritious food.”

Maverik asked customers to participate in its “Round Up the Change for Feeding America” campaign from January 26 to February 28 at all Maverik stores in 11 states. The initial donation will be distributed to six Feeding America member food banks across the Intermountain West in communities where Maverik operates, and the remaining funds will be focused on Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund. Local food banks in Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington and Wyoming will receive a direct donation of $22,500.

Because of the ongoing pandemic, more than 50 million people could face hunger, with an average increase of 60% across the country in the number of people seeking help from food banks. Feeding America expects there to be a supply gap of eight billion meals needed to meet increased demand.

“Millions sought help from food banks for the first time over the past year, and record demand for food continues into 2021,” said Lauren Biedron, vice president of corporate partnerships at Feeding America. “We are grateful to Maverik for its commitment to help fight hunger in our communities across the country.”

Sheetz For the Kidz Surpasses $1.8 Million in 2020

Altoona, Pennsylvania-based Sheetz announced that Sheetz For the Kidz, an employee-driven charity supporting underprivileged children, raised more than $1.8 million for children in need in 2020.

“This past year, the need to help children in our communities was greater than it ever has been, and our incredible customers really stepped up in a major way to meet this need,” said Travis Sheetz, president and COO, Sheetz. “Their donations allowed Sheetz For the Kidz to be able to make this past holiday season a brighter one for nearly 10,000 children and families in need in the communities we serve.”

During the months of July and December, Sheetz customers had the opportunity to support kids in their local communities through donation boxes near the register and also by adding donations to their purchase at the point of sale. With 100% of all donations directly supporting local children, Sheetz For the Kidz provides children in need the opportunity to celebrate the holidays with gifts such as new toys, clothes and other basic needs. Each of Sheetz’s 615 stores supported more than 16 children from their local communities.

Customers can support Sheetz For the Kidz throughout the year by:

• Purchasing a Sheetz For the Kidz water, with 25 cents from each bottle directly supporting the charity
• Shopping on AmazonSmile and select ìSheetz For the Kidzî as the charity of their choice. Amazon will donate 0.5% of purchases to the charity.
• Donating loyalty points
• Donating online at www.sheetz.com/ftk

Kwik Trip Named ‘Best Place to Work’

La Crosse, Wisconsin-based Kwik Trip Inc. has been honored with a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award, recognizing the Best Places to Work in 2021. The award is based on the input of employees, who elect to provide anonymous feedback by completing a company review about their job, work environment and employer on Glassdoor. Kwik Trip is ranked No. 79 on the national list.

“We take our culture at Kwik Trip very seriously and always want to be known as a great place to work. We are delighted that the comments on Glassdoor were so positive that Kwik Trip is now in the national spotlight for being a top workplace. This is quite an achievement,” said Kwik Trip CEO Don Zietlow.

“COVID-19 is in the driver’s seat and every employer has been impacted. This year’s winning employers have proven, according to employees, that even during extraordinary times, they’ll rise to the challenge to support their people,” said Christian Sutherland-Wong, CEO of Glassdoor. “A mission-driven culture, transparent leadership and career opportunities are always hallmarks of Best Places to Work winners.”

How to Get Involved

NACS works with two groups that support local efforts to donate food and beverages to local food banks and pantries or provide financial support:

Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry campaign (www.nokidhungry.org) seeks to ensure that all children receive the healthy food they need by working within schools and childcare organizations to create behavioral changes and provide meals. Listen to the Convenience Matters podcast, episode No. 112 “Convenience Stores Can Help Solve Childhood Hunger,” to find out how to get involved at www.conveniencematters.com.

Feeding America (www.feedingamerica.org) is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization that works with food banks across the U.S. to collect food to be distributed by community agencies. Many convenience retailers work closely with their local Feeding America affiliates to combat hunger in the community.

For assistance connecting with a representative of Share Our Strength and/or Feeding America in your operating area, reach out to Carolyn Schnare, NACS director of strategic initiatives, at [email protected].

Rutter’s, along with Rutter’s Children’s Charities, contributed to dozens of organizations within their market, reaching more than $800,000 in donations in 2020.

“We were very fortunate to be in the position to continue our charitable giving throughout 2020,” said Chris Hartman, president of Rutter’s Children’s Charities. “It was a difficult year for many people and organizations, so we’re excited to continue our support of children, families and our local communities that we serve.”

Rutter’s charitable giving in 2020 also included more than $230,000 in food donations to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s Retail Donation Program, in the form of prepared subs, sandwiches, bakery items, milk and tea products.

Alta Convenience stores in Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska and New Mexico, raised more than $220,000 for Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2020. Since the campaign started in 2013, Alta Convenience stores have raised just over $700,000 for Make-A-Wish.