At the groundbreaking of the Des Moines Social Club’s new home at a former firehouse in downtown Des Moines on Tuesday, Kyle J. and Sharon Krause presented the organization with a $350,000 gift on behalf of Kum & Go. Announced in December 2012, the gift will help to preserve and renovate the space, which is scheduled to be completed in early 2014.

“The Des Moines Social Club serves a demographic that’s critical to the vitality of downtown Des Moines,” said Kyle J. Krause, president and CEO of Kum & Go. “We have the utmost respect for the leadership of this unique and visionary organization, and we’re proud to support their continued growth.”

The Firehouse will include a performance center named the Kum & Go Theater, as well as an art gallery and a classroom. Kyle and Sharon both serve on the Capital Campaign Committee for DMSC. This group is charged with raising the $3.5 million needed for the purchase and renovation of the firehouse.

“Sharon and Kyle are well known for their ongoing support of the Des Moines area, and they’ve demonstrated their leadership yet again through this amazing partnership,” said Zachary Mannheimer, executive director of the Des Moines Social Club. “They understand that the arts are vitally important to the economy — generating revenue, creating jobs and developing communities. We sincerely appreciate their support.”

West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go is the fifth largest privately held, company-operated convenience store chain in the U.S. with 420 convenience stores in 11 states (Iowa, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming)