Strack & Van Til is feeding thousands of families for the holiday season.
The Highland-based supermarket chain donated to the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana, the Salvation Army and the Boys & Girls Club in the spirit of holiday giving.
It helped raise funds for the needy through its Strack & Van Til Checkout Challenge, in which customers round up their purchases to the next dollar to make a purchase.
“Our stores, with the help of our employees, simply provide our customers an outlet to give to some of their favorite local organizations,” President Jeff Strack said. “Giving back to the communities we serve is just naturally a part of the culture at Strack & Van Til. We are very grateful to our customers who contribute to these Round Up campaigns and make a difference in the lives of so many people.”
Strack & Van Til also donated and packed food at the Food Bank in Northwest Indiana.
“In addition to running a round up campaign for us in stores until Jan. 1, they provided 2,000 sets of groceries for ham dinners,” said Victor Garcia, president and CEO of the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. “Their management team was at our facility earlier this month preparing and packing what they donated to get it readied for distribution. We are grateful to have this level of corporate partnership that enables us to provide holiday meals for neighbors.”
The meals were distributed via food banks across Northwest Indiana.
“Working with the food bank at the right time when they need the product has been a great experience and team effort,” Strack & Van Til Center Store Director Tom Steliga said. “We put together a complete holiday meal for families, including ham and everything needed for a full meal so they can enjoy the holiday.”
Strack & Van Til also provided 500 meals to families that belong to the Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Indiana. It gave the Salvation Army $100,000 in gift cards that were distributed at its centers in Gary, East Chicago, Munster and Valparaiso. The needy can use it to buy meals.
“We are proud to partner again with Salvation Army this holiday season to provide food assistance to so many families,” Strack said. “They really do make a difference in people’s lives when they need it most, and oftentimes it’s when it’s least expected.”
The gift cards go to families who signed up for the Angel Tree Program that provides Christmas gifts to children.
“The donation was helpful to us,” Salvation Army Northwest Area Commander Major Chris Marques said. “We normally do have food pantries running strong all year, but during the Angel Tree season, things get hectic for us.”
Strack & Van Til’s donation also went to help seniors who need food assistance.
“It is hard to make ends meet, and ideally, people should not have to pick between one necessity or the other,” Marques said. “We are appreciative of Strack & Van Til because they do wonderful things for everybody in the community.” Its donation
Strack & Van Til’s support allowed the Salvation Army to support twice as many people this Christmas season.
“We certainly would not have as large of a footprint in the community without their partnership,” Marques said. “Without partners who are generous like them, we would not be able to serve as many people as we do.”
