High’s, Hop Shops, Yesway and Allsup’s, FavTrip, Twice Daily and Sudden Service, Rutter’s and TXB are a few of the convenience-store chains that are touting their participation in celebrating 24/7 Day, which honors hometown heroes.
There are about 30,000 convenience retailers and suppliers nationwide partaking in the sixth annual event July 24. This year’s theme is “Here for Heroes, Here for You.”
The day was created to highlight the partnership between first responders and convenience stores. Hosted by the NACS Foundation, Alexandria Virginia, the event also helps raise awareness and donations for the Red Cross and spotlights the convenience and fuel retailing industry’s important role in supporting emergencies, disaster relief and crisis situations, 24/7/365.
Here’s a closer look at what these chains are doing:
Yesway, Allsup’s
Fort Worth, Texas-based Yesway and Allsup’s stores are offering a free 30.4-ounce Core Hydration water July 24 to firefighters, doctors, nurses, health practitioners, Red Cross professionals and 911 professionals in uniform or with a valid badge.
In addition, from July 21 through 24, a free fountain drink of any size is being offered to this same group.
“At Yesway, we believe that supporting the communities we serve is essential,” said Tom Trkla, chairman and CEO of Yesway. “We are proud to join with the NACS Foundation and our colleagues in the convenience-store industry to celebrate 24/7 Day. We are grateful for the first responders who take care of those who live and work in the communities we serve. We aim to acknowledge and support them, and the excellent work they perform each and every day, but especially on 24/7 Day.”
High’s
Baltimore-based High’s will give a free fountain soda or coffee to any first responder, which includes police, fire, EMT, doctors, nurses, health practitioners, 911 professionals and Red Cross volunteers.
High’s also is donating 25 cents for every purchase of hand-dipped ice cream—cones, cups, milkshakes and hurricanes—to the American Red Cross.
High’s also will:
- Conduct a round-up-your-change campaign, with funds donated to the American Red Cross.
- Sponsor a High’s Hometown Hero recognition program.
- Honor 10 local High’s Hometown Hero’s based off of community nominations. Each High’s Hometown Hero will receive a Hometown Hero plaque, High’s swag bag and High’s gift card.
FavTrip
Independence, Missouri-based FavTrip is thanking those who serve its communities with a free coffee or fountain drink of any size.
Hop Shops
On July 18, the Verona, Kentucky, Hop Shops team visited the Verona Fire Department before it began CPR training.
“We had the absolute privilege of honoring our local first responders,” the c-store chain posted on Facebook. “We brought dinner to the incredible crew and had the chance to sit down and hear their amazing stories.
“It was truly inspiring to learn that many of them have dedicated their entire adult lives to this noble profession, following in the footsteps of parents and siblings who were also first responders,” the post continued. “Despite witnessing so much tragedy, they find the strength to continue because they know they are needed. One of the most heartwarming stories they shared was about the joy of delivering babies, a precious reminder of the positive impact they make every day.”
Hop Shops presented each hero with a certificate of appreciation and reminded them that whenever they visit any Hop Shop, they can enjoy a free fountain pop or coffee as a small token of gratitude.
Twice Daily, Sudden Service
Nashville-based Twice Daily and Sudden Service c-stores will offer a free medium fountain drink or coffee to all first responders who are in uniform or show their badge. The offer is eligible at all Twice Daily and Sudden Service locations.
Rutter’s
Rutter’s, York, Pennsylvania, will give a free coffee, fountain drink or slushy of any size to any first responder in uniform or with a badge. This includes police, fire, EMTs, healthcare providers, active military and veterans. The c-store chain also will feature the Red Cross on its charity cannisters throughout July to help raise money for disaster relief.
TXB
TXB, Spicewood, Texas, is offering a free chicken roll to any first responder, including police, fire, EMTs, doctors, nurses, health practitioners, Red Cross volunteers, and 911 professionals in uniform or with a badge. The c-store chain also is encouraging community members to share their own stories and appreciation for hometown heroes on social media using the hashtags #247Day and #conveniencecares. TXB also is sharing photos with @NACS_Foundation of 24/7 Day celebrations to continue the momentum into next year.
Nathan Measom, director of cause marketing for the American Red Cross, said, “We hope you will join us in supporting the heroes who are always here for us, helping others and giving so much of themselves in times of incredible need.”
Stephanie Sikorski, executive director of the NACS Foundation, said, “The 24/7 Day celebration was born from the realization of the deep connection between first responders and the convenience-store community.”
30,000 Stores
More than 60 retailers and suppliers nationwide representing about 30,000 stores will each have an offer—such as free coffee, free meals or branded merchandise—that any first responder can claim by wearing their uniform or showing a badge.
Convenience stores expected to participate in the 24/7 Day include: 1-Stop, Admiral, Allsup’s and Yesway, Apple Market, BreadBox, Casey’s, Certified Oil, CFCA, Cumberland Farms, Delek, Enmarket, Express Stop, E-Z Mart, fas mart, fastmarket, Fastrac, FavTrip and Flash Market.
Also partaking: Garrett’s Family Market and Rapid Refill Convenience Stores, Handy Mart, High’s, Hop Shops, Huck’s, Jiffi Stop, Jiffy Stop Food Marts, KwikShop, Loaf ’N Jug, Li’l Cricket, Loop Neighborhood Markets, Minit Mart, Next Door Store, OnCue, On the Run and Onvo.
Also: Poppy Market, Pride, Quarles, QuickStop Markets, R Store, RaceTrac, Roadrunner Markets, Rutter’s, Scotchman, Sheetz, shore stop, Sprint Food Stores, Sprint Mart and St. Romain Oil Co./Y-Not Stop.
Finally, there’s The Convenience Group, The Hub Convenience Stores, The Markets of Tiger Fuel Company, Tom Thumb, Town Star, TXB, Turkey Hill Minit Markets, UNCLE’s, Village Pantry, Young’s, and Wawa and The Wawa Foundation.
Some of the chains above are in CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.
NACS Foundation is the 501(c)3 charitable arm of NACS, the global industry association dedicated to advancing convenience and fuel retailing. In partnership with fuel retail, convenience and suppliers across the United States, the NACS Foundation propels brighter futures by unifying and amplifying the philanthropic and charitable activities of the industry in communities across America.
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