Community Service Spotlight: Rutter's, Aloha Petroleum & Royal Farms

NATIONAL REPORT — Giving back through community service efforts and charity donations is a positive force that keeps many retailers and suppliers of this industry moving ahead. On a regular basis, Convenience Store News highlights these philanthropic efforts in this special section. 

Here are the latest company spotlights:

Aloha Petroleum Ltd.

Aloha Petroleum donated $6,748.35 to the American Heart Association, Hawaii Division. The funds were raised through canister collection donations at participating Aloha Island Mart and Shell locations across the state. 

"We frequently collaborate with the American Heart Association to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke, and we thank Aloha Petroleum’s customers for their generosity," said Gary Altman, general manager of company-operated stores for Aloha Petroleum. "Heart disease and stroke continue to be the leading causes of death in Hawaii, and the American Heart Association is trying to change that through community education, improvement of our health care system, and cardiovascular research."

NOCO Express

Tonawanda, N.Y.-based NOCO Express recently donated $21,173 to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Western & Central New York Chapter. Through August and September, donations were raised through hot dog sales, dress-down days, silent auctions, loose change promotions, and an employee walk at NOCO’s corporate offices.

During NOCO’s "Pump It Up" promotion at three locations, employees pumped customers’ gas and washed their car windows in exchange for donations. Additionally, customers made $1 donations toward the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at the company’s 36 locations throughout September.  

This is the fourth consecutive year that NOCO Express raised money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. To date, more than $80,000 has been raised.

Royal Farms

Baltimore-based Royal Farms recognized three local nonprofit organizations at the seventh annual Royal Farms Golf Classic: Living Classrooms, the Hampden Family Center, and the St. Francis Neighborhood Center. Collectively, these nonprofits serve thousands of local children and adults per month, but they struggle to accept all who are interested in their services due to lack of space and crucial funding. 

"These organizations are providing vitally needed services to their, and our, communities and we are very proud to support them," Royal Farms Public Relations Manager Brittany Eldredge said. "We’re honored to provide assistance to organizations where the benefit can be seen immediately, and on a local level."

Rutter’s Farm Stores

During the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony at its 65th convenience store in Hamburg, Pa., Rutter’s donated $3,000 to local charities. The Hamburg Police Department, Union Fire Company No. 1 of Hamburg, and  Northern Berks Food Pantry each received $1,000.  

"Our grand openings are more than just a celebration of a new store. We give donations to local organizations as a way to say 'thank you' to our newest Rutter’s community," said Derek Gaskins, chief customer officer for the convenience store chain. "We are a family-run business for 10 generations and 269 years. Giving back to communities we serve is part of our values and culture."

TravelCenters of America

TravelCenters of America, operator of TA and Petro Stopping Centers, made its annual campaign donation to the St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund (SCF). This year's contribution totaled $278,095.

Donations were collected during TA’s annual "Band Together for SCF" campaign, which ran during the month of August at 238 TA and Petro Stopping Centers nationwide. The Band Together campaign collects $1 and $5 donations, with 100 percent of all donations going directly to SCF.

Westlake, Ohio-based TravelCenters has raised more than $2 million for SCF since 2010.