Sheetz, Sunoco Come to Rescue of Stranded Travelers

CAMP HILL, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) is publicly thanking member businesses Sheetz Inc. and Sunoco Inc. for assisting travelers stranded on the Pennsylvania Turnpike during the recent blizzard that struck the East Coast.

By Saturday, Jan. 23, the Pennsylvania Turnpike was closed in both directions between Breezewood and New Stanton due to tractor-trailers becoming stuck on the highway. The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) reached out to PFMA to request assistance in providing meals and supplies to travelers who were moved to an emergency shelter.

Sheetz's Bedford store, located off the Turnpike exit, prepared 250 sub sandwiches and provided water for the stranded motorists, while associates at Sunoco APlus convenience stores in South Somerset and North Bedford prepared 100 sandwiches and donated several hundred bottles of water.

"Our sincere thanks to Sheetz and Sunoco, who readily answered PEMA's call for assistance," stated Alex Baloga, PFMA vice president of external relations. "Sheetz and Sunoco provided those travelers with a little comfort and a meal as they waited out the storm until the Turnpike reopened."

More than 500 cars, trucks and buses were stranded from late Friday through Saturday. No one was seriously injured.

The PFMA is a statewide trade organization that advocates the views of c-stores, supermarkets, independent grocers, wholesalers and consumer product vendors. Its more than 800 corporate members operate 3,200 retail food stores and employ more than 150,000 Pennsylvania residents.