Convenience Stores Give to a Good Cause

Since their early involvement with the MDA Labor Day Telethon decades ago, convenience stores today contribute or collect nearly $100 million a year for local charities.

September 06, 2016

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Convenience stores are rooted in the communities they serve, giving back through various local and national charities, campaigns and organizations.

Historically, Labor Day weekend went hand-in-hand with the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon, an annual event held each Labor Day in the United States to raise money for the MDA. The show was founded by actor and comedian Jerry Lewis, who hosted the broadcast from its 1966 inception until 2010.

The convenience store industry’s engagement with the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon began about a decade after the inaugural event. In fact, Lewis is credited with the idea of the point-of-sale canister and taking it to 7-Eleven in 1976 on behalf of the MDA. For several years, 7-Eleven continued to sponsor the program until, in 1979, it asked NACS to take on the lead role; and the association accepted. Years later, NACS circulated a charity funding survey to its membership inquiring about guidelines and recommendations for charitable giving. Forty percent of members preferred local involvement, and the end result was that NACS would not be a corporate sponsor for any organization in 1983. So while NACS ended its corporate sponsorship of the MDA Telethon, the industry’s charitable contributions have never wavered.

According to a 2014 NACS member survey, more than three in four companies (78%) support five or more charities in their communities. And 83% of member companies have been involved in charitable giving for more than 10 years. Here’s the percentage of companies that directly contribute to charitable causes:

  • 86%: Local charities (church groups, shelters, food banks, other local non-sports groups)
  • 78%: Youth sports and activities (sport teams, sport events)
  • 61%: Local product/food donations (local institutions, groups, events)
  • 60%: National charities (Children’s Miracle Network, MDA)
  • 41%: Group fundraising (help fundraise for stickers, canisters)
  • 34%: Adult sports, health or cardio events in the community (leagues, marathons)

Convenience stores today contribute or collect nearly $100 million a year for charities. From local and national efforts to youth sports teams and food drives, convenience stores continue to strengthen the communities they serve. And it does not go unnoticed. Consumers agree that convenience stores represent the community’s values, with more than two in three Americans (69%) agreeing that convenience stores share their values and do business the right way.

Lear more about the convenience and fuel retailing industry’s community support and charitable contributions at nacsonline.com/reFresh.

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