The Salvation Army and Sheetz Provide Holiday Gifts to 10,000 Kids in Need
Sheetz Employees and Customers Ensure Hope Marches on for Families Across Six States
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (February, 8, 2022) – The Salvation Army and Sheetz For the Kidz have collaborated to bring holiday cheer for those in need for many years. As millions of individuals and families faced incredible need in 2021 due to lingering effects of the pandemic, the partnership responded with more than $1.8 million of new toys, clothes, and other basic needs around the holidays for more than 10,000 kids.
“The Sheetz for the Kidz Holiday Program has had a profound impact on thousands of kids and parents across many years and multiple states,” said Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder, National Commander of The Salvation Army. “We are grateful that when the need was great due to the pandemic, we could count on Sheetz for the Kidz to be even greater for those we serve.”
Sheetz For the Kidz began by identifying underprivileged children within the Sheetz’s footprint, and then collecting their holiday wishlists. Sheetz employees from each operating area would then purchase items on the children’s wishlists, wrap them, and host parties for all the participating children. Customer donations were collected in Sheetz stores, and local fundraisers were held to support the program.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sheetz For the Kidz has shifted to a drive-through model, where parents can safely and quickly pick up their children’s gifts and bring them home to unwrap on Christmas morning together. In 2021, Sheetz For the Kidz held drive-through gift distributions of over $1.8 million worth of items, ultimately helping 10,000 children and their families to have a brighter holiday season across six states.
“Our mission to provide support, hope, joy and happiness for children in our local communities really shines its light each holiday season,” said Brittany Funcheon, Executive Director of Sheetz For the Kidz. “We are beyond grateful and humbled by the support The Salvation Army provides to help us achieve this goal.”
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 63.1 million Americans were having difficulty paying for usual household expenses in the latter portion of 2021, and 62% of Americans had been living paycheck-to-paycheck since the pandemic began.
The Salvation Army recognizes that many American families face impossible choices around the holidays, like whether to pay a utility bill or to provide Christmas gifts for their children. Programs like Sheetz For the Kidz take the burden off parents and empower them to enjoy the holidays with their children.
Annually, The Salvation Army provides holiday assistance to more than 2.5 million people, which includes help with gifts for more than one million children of struggling families.
Learn more about The Salvation Army’s Hope Marches On holiday campaign at https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/video-hub/
See how The Salvation Army continues serving around the country throughout the year at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org.
About The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army annually helps more than 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,000 centers of operation around the country. In 2021, The Salvation Army was ranked No. 2 on the list of "America's Favorite Charities" by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood.
About Sheetz For the Kidz™
Sheetz For the Kidz™ is a non-profit organization, designated as a 501(c)(3) charity, independent of the Sheetz Corporation. The organization was created in 1992 by local store employees wanting to help local children. The mission of the charity is to provide support, hope, joy and happiness to children in need within the communities in which Sheetz operates. To date, the charity has impacted the lives of more than 150,000 children living in the communities Sheetz serves!