(This article first appeared in the September 2023 issue of NACS Magazine.)

NACS Foundation held its fifth annual 24/7 Day on July 24 and encourages convenience retailers and their supplier partners to join the celebration next year.

This year’s theme was “High Five for Heroes,” a nod to the event’s fifth anniversary. 24/7 Day is the only day that celebrates the partnership between the convenience store industry and those on the front lines in our communities. The NACS Foundation Response Relief program’s signature event celebrates and recognizes the first responders, medical and emergency professionals and Red Cross volunteers who are there for their communities during times of need. The event unifies the collective efforts of tens of thousands of convenience stores that honor and thank those who work 24/7 with items like a hot cup of coffee, a cold beverage or a breakfast sandwich.

The first 24/7 Day event in 2018 had three retail partners: Sheetz, Wawa and RaceTrac. The event has grown to include more than 50 convenience store brands representing 30,000-plus convenience retail locations across the United States, showcasing how the convenience retailing industry has thrived through change.

“Just like first responders, convenience stores and their workers provide essential services 24/7, while also acting as a reliable and safe hub for members of their community to connect, socialize and share,” said Stephanie Sikorski, NACS vice president of marketing and the executive director of the NACS Foundation. “So much of the work that both first responders and convenience store workers do is not seen by the public. This celebration was created to shine a bright light on their service, showing them that we see how much they do and saluting them for their incredible efforts.”

To continue reading, check out the latest issue of NACS Magazine.