New Partnership Formed Between Red Cross & C-store Industry

ALEXANDRIA, Va. and WASHINGTON, D.C. — NACS, the Association for Convenience & Fuel Retailing, and the American Red Cross have formed a new partnership to advance community giving and disaster relief programs for NACS member companies. 

The two organizations are currently focused on developing resources to facilitate donation collection by c-store companies nationwide, along with encouraging volunteer assistance programs for Red Cross volunteers around specific local or national events. NACS is the first retail-focused association to partner with the American Red Cross on such a program.

C-stores already contribute nearly $1 billion a year to charitable organizations, according to the industry association.

"NACS and the American Red Cross are closely aligned in how they make a meaningful difference in communities. Convenience stores are in every community in the country and they often are the only retailer open in times of episodic events," stated NACS President & CEO Henry Armour. "This agreement, developed through our NACS Foundation, will help advance the existing programs in which convenience stores provide immediate access to donations as well as food, fuel and beverages for volunteers."

The partnership announcement is timed with the Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1. Each year, the Red Cross responds to nearly 64,000 disasters, the majority of which are home fires, and volunteer disaster relief workers to support its efforts. Donations are crucial to the success of its mission, and NACS will work closely with its members to help the Red Cross achieve its goals, the organization said.

"We're extremely excited to partner with NACS and its members as they work with us to provide help and hope to people impacted by disasters," said Don Herring, chief development officer at the American Red Cross. "Donations through their network of convenience stores and customers will allow the Red Cross to deploy volunteers, respond immediately with food and shelter during a disaster, as well as support disaster survivors through the recovery process."

Tools and resources for retailers are available at convenience.org/redcross. The page includes help in creating a custom donation campaign; ways to create a percentage of product sales; a preview of a NACS/American Red Cross store donation kit; and other initiatives.

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