Yesway is raising money to support communities affected by the South Fork and Salt Wildfires in New Mexico. The convenience-store chain kicked off the effort with a $100,000 donation. Now, it’s asking Yesway and Allsup’s customers and supplier partners to make $1, $5, $10, or larger donations at checkout through July 31 to benefit the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico.
- Yesway is No. 19 on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.
The Fort Worth, Texas-based company, which has more than 435 stores across nine states in the Midwest and South, has a goal of raising $200,000 in total for those affected by the fires. The Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico serves as a community resource, connects donors to needs and supports charitable organizations and their work, according to its website.
“We are humbled by the support from Yesway and Allsup’s,” said Terra Winter, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico. “Yesway and Allsup’s are a long-standing partner in the areas that have been affected by the Salt and South Fork fires. We are grateful for their incredible donation during this time and their extended support to invite their customers across their stores to join us in caring for our Lincoln and Otero County communities. Funding will aid residents affected by the fires while focusing on emerging and long-term economic revitalization. We are stronger together and are truly grateful for their giving hearts.”
The South Fork Fire started on June 17 inside the Lincoln National Forest and on Mescalero Apache Tribal lands in New Mexico, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported. The Salt Fire burned in southern New Mexico and had consumed nearly 23,000 acres by June 18. Mandatory evacuations were called in Ruidoso, Mescalero and Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico, which are located between the fires and in proximity to where five local Allsup’s stores serve as community hubs, Yesway said.
“All of us at Yesway feel compelled to support our friends and neighbors who live and work in the Ruidoso area,” said Tom Trkla, Yesway’s chairman and CEO. “We are donating $100,000 to benefit the families and community members who have been affected by these disastrous wildfires and are hoping our customers can help us raise an additional $100,000. We ask our Yesway and Allsup’s customers across the nine states in which we operate to join us by making donations at our stores. We also invite our supplier partners to join with us in raising funds for our affected communities. Every generous donation will help us to achieve our goal of raising funds for those who have been affected.”
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