Circle K, Millers Support Hunger Relief

CHARLOTTE, N.C. and NORFOLK, Va.—Circle K, the global convenience store chain, pledged to donate 25 million meals to Feeding America, and Millers stores, a locally owned chain of c-stores in Virginia, and the Miller Foundation announced they are collecting donated food and funds for area foodbanks to help relieve hunger in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Circle K said starting this past Friday it would donate one meal for every fuel transaction to a local member food bank of the Feeding America network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs across the United States. Each $1 donation helps to provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks. Through the Feeding America network of food banks, pantries and meal programs, Circle K said it can help the organization support the one in nine Americans currently faced with hunger.

“During these unprecedented times, Circle K is committed to being part of the solution in the communities where we work and live. We know many of the families we serve have been impacted and challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Brian Hannasch, president and CEO of Circle K. “Our mission as a company has always been to make our customers’ lives a little easier every day, and we know the best way to get through these difficult days is to band together and support each other.”

As essential businesses, convenience stores and gas stations continue to support their communities on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic, which has battered the U.S. economy and pushed up the unemployment rate. Food banks are seeing unprecedented demand as struggling Americans seek to feed their families, especially children who would normally receive breakfast and lunch at now-closed public schools. Kwik Chek, Sheetz and 7-Eleven are among the c-stores rising to the challenge of fighting hunger during the crisis.

“We are incredibly thankful to Circle K for its generous donation to the Feeding America network. Food banks across the country are on the ground addressing the growing need in their communities. Circle K’s support will help to ensure that our neighbors in need do not have to worry about food during this unprecedented time,” said Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. 

In Virginia, the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank reported that food donations were down by 38% at the end of March, well before the height of the COVID-19 layoffs. The peninsula foodbank is one of three area foodbanks that will receive support from collections at Millers stores through the end of April. The Fredericksburg Foodbank and the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore also will benefit.

Not all foodbanks can accept donated food. In Northern Virginia, charities are discouraging food drives and asking instead for monetary donations. The Fredericksburg Foodbank has set up a virtual food drive where donors can order and pay for food online. That foodbank will receive monetary donations from the Millers collection.

“We want to help feed our neighbors who are having hard times, which sadly enough, may be some of our regular customers,” said Millers Energy Vice President of Operations Wanda Sheffield.

“Many people are hurting as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic—there are children already suffering from food insecurity, seniors who cannot leave their homes and adults who need emergency food assistance now. We can help!” said Millers Foundation Executive Director Carrie Short.

Kwik Chek, based in Spicewood, Texas, last week said it launched two initiatives in partnership with McCraw Oil to give back to the United Way and United Way of Central Texas to help those impacted by COVID-19. At Kwik Chek stores in Texas and Oklahoma, customers can ask their cashier at checkout to add a $1, $3 or $5 donation to the total to help those in need, and 100% of the funds will go directly back into local communities through United Way. Kwik Chek CEO Kevin Smartt said Kwik Chek will match the first $5,000 received in donations. On social media, look for #TexasHelpingTexans and #OklahomansHelpingOklahomans.

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