Red Kettles are overflowing for one Pennsylvania chapter of The
Salvation Army. Sheetz Inc. said it is donating its former convenience
store and property in Chambersburg, Pa., to the Chambersburg Salvation
Army, which already occupies an adjacent building. This gift
immediately doubles the Corps existing property size and footprint,
providing critical office space, the potential for a thrift store and
additional parking.
"This move will benefit every aspect of our ministry and
service to the community by helping us to cut significant property
leasing costs from our current budget, allowing those funds to be
better used for service to our less fortunate neighbors," said Major
John Brooks, commanding officer of the Chambersburg Salvation Army.
Sheetz, which operates more than 340 convenience stores in six
mid-Atlantic states, and the Salvation Army have had a long-standing
relationship dating back to the early 90”s when Sheetz began a charity
known as Sheetz Family Christmas. Each year, Sheetz employees raise
funds to provide Christmas presents to needy children. Since the
inception of the charity, Sheetz has partnered with the Salvation Army
to identify and select the children. In Franklin County alone, the
charity has helped hundreds of children have a brighter holiday.
"We have always been a steadfast supporter of Sheetz and the
Sheetz Family Christmas program," said Wayne Henry, Chambersburg
Salvation Army Advisory Board. "Now they have provided a major
opportunity for The Chambersburg Salvation Army to better serve the
ever increasing needs of those less fortunate in our Franklin County
community."
Salvation Army and Sheetz executives are working toward
finalizing a deal for the property, which consists of a quarter-acre
lot and a 3,600 square-foot building.
"We have been partners with the Salvation Army for a long time
and we’re very happy to be able to help them continue to serve the
people of Chambersburg," said Stan Sheetz, president and CEO of Sheetz
Inc. "Sheetz has been a part of the Chambersburg community since 1979.
We’ve made a commitment to the people there and the activities that are
important to them. This donation is simply an extension of that
commitment."
The Salvation Army uses funds raised to finance a number of
programs including summer camps for kids, feeding programs for the
homeless and community and family services offices.
