How C-Stores and Grocers Helped Furloughed Government Workers - GSP
Thousands of furloughed federal employees returned to work on Jan. 28, however approximately 800,000 of these federal workers were without pay since Dec. 21. The historical government shutdown inspired many of America’s leading convenience stores and grocery stores to provide much-needed relief for federal workers and contractors. Here’s a quick roundup of which retailers made headlines.
- Giant Food Stores – Pop-up markets were set up in the parking lots of five D.C.-area Giant Food grocery stores. Though referred to as pop-up “markets,” Giant provided the food free of charge for those with a federal ID or a federal contractor ID.
- Hannaford – This Maine-based supermarket chain already known for its generous food bank donations, gifted $50,000 to food banks specifically to help federal employees. Hannaford set up in-store kiosks allowing shoppers to donate money to help local hunger-relief efforts.
- Kraft Foods – Kraft Foods made big news by providing free food to government workers via a pop-up store in Washington, D.C. “During the government shutdown, parents should not have to worry about putting dinner on the table because they aren’t receiving a paycheck,” Sergio Eleuterio, Head of Marketing for Kraft, said in a press release.
- Kum & Go – The Des Moines, Iowa-based c-store chain donated pizza, soda and snacks to TSA employees and spread the word by tweeting, “At Kum & Go we believe connecting with people is one of the greatest things we can do – day in, day out. That’s why we donated pizzas, snacks and sodas to dedicated government employees currently working without a paycheck at the TSA @dsmairport. #MakeDaysBetter”
- Lucky’s Market – Lucky’s Market offered free meals to furloughed government employees.
- Marathon – Eddie Osman, owner of the Oakland County, Michigan Marathon station, distributed $4K in free gas cards to 100 federal workers impacted by the recent government shutdown.
- 7-Eleven – 7-Eleven at JFK Airport extended federal workers house accounts allowing them to make purchases with the promise of payment when they receive their paychecks.
- Touch n’ Go Convenience Store – Donation bins were set up so that Salt Lake City locals could donate food and toiletries for Salt Lake City International Airport TSA security employees.
- Valero – Cornell Barnard, ABC7 News Reporter in San Francisco shared news of the Fremont Valero station offering free gas to federal employees impacted by the government shutdown.
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