Community Service Spotlight: CHS, Jiffy Mart & Pilot Flying J

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:

CHS Inc.

CHS Inc. will contribute $25,000 to the Keep Wisconsin Warm Fund and $25,000 to HeatShare, administered by the Minnesota Salvation Army. Both programs are assisting individuals and families impacted by extremely cold temperatures and propane shortages.

The CHS Foundation, the independent giving entity of CHS, is also designating $25,000 of its annual $100,000 American Red Cross Disaster Giving contribution to support the organization's work to provide shelters and other emergency assistance to individuals and families affected by the propane supply challenges in Minnesota and other states in which CHS supplies propane.

CHS is working with its customer marketers throughout the United States to manage propane deliveries to stretch supplies for home and other heating use and to delay non-critical propane demand needs until product becomes more plentiful.

In addition to the contributions, CHS is working directly with its affected propane marketer customers to identify short- and long-term solutions to propane supply issues, including evaluating supply and storage needs.

CHS Inc. is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States.

The Coca-Cola Co.

Keep America Beautiful (KAB) and The Coca-Cola Foundation are calling for applications for the 2014 Coca-Cola/KAB Recycling Bin Grant Program designed to expand and support recycling in communities across the United States.

Since 2010, more than 34,000 recycling bins have been distributed through the Coca-Cola/KAB Recycling Bin Grant Program. In the past six years, 4.4 million people have been reached through this program with 450 organizations receiving grants.

This year, Coca-Cola has expanded its investment in the bin grant program to include a specific focus on two-year community colleges. Additionally, the bin grant program will also include four-year colleges and universities, as well as traditional public space recycling bin grants.

The Coca-Cola/KAB Recycling Bin Grant Program is funded through a $350,000 grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The Coca-Cola Co.

Jiffy Mart

Baltimore Ravens football fans turned out in late January to see the team's star rookie wide receiver, Marlon Brown, at the Jiffy Mart charity autograph signing event. The event helped raise funds and awareness for Maryland's Carroll County Food Sunday.

Those in attendance were also entered to win a football autographed by Ravens players Morgan Cox, Sam Koch and Justin Tucker, as well as other signed memorabilia. As an added treat, Martins Chips, Barcelona Nut Co., Kunzler Meats, Good Humor Ice Cream and Canada Dry provided coupons for free merchandise to those in attendance.

Old Westminster Realty was also on hand to accept donated food items for Carroll County Food Sunday. On behalf of the community and the event sponsors, Jiffy Mart also donated $2,000 to the cause. Jiffy Mart currently operates four stores in Carroll County, Md. It is owned by Tevis Oil Inc.

Pilot Flying J

Pilot Flying J presented a $30,100 donation to the Salvation Army in early February through the support and donations of Knoxville, Tenn., customers during the annual Red Kettle Campaign.

Paper red kettles were sold for $1 each to customers at all Knoxville-area Pilot Food Mart locations during the 2013 holiday season, with all proceeds benefiting the Salvation Army.

The campaign serves as a major fundraiser for the charity, and since it began in 2008, Pilot Flying J customers have raised more than $200,000 for the Salvation Army.

VERC Enterprises

VERC Enterprises recently presented Trinity Catholic Academy in Brockton, Mass., with two checks for $500, grants made possible through the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Program.

Funded by Exxon Mobil Corp. and Global Partners LP, the ExxonMobil Educational Alliance program is designed to provide local retailers an opportunity to invest in the future of their communities through educational grants to neighborhood schools.

VERC Enterprises is a convenience store and Mobil/Gulf gasoline operator with locations throughout Eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

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