Kum & Go is donating more than $480,000 to Habitat for Humanity International and helping to build a home for a low-income family in Sioux Falls, S.D.
In March, Kum & Go and Habitat announced an expanded partnership that resulted in customer contributions exceeding $275,000, as well as a corporate donation of $206,000. This is the second year that Kum & Go has been a national partner of Habitat for Humanity.
Kum & Go invited customers to add a $1 donation to their in-store purchases to support Habitat’s mission of “building homes, communities and hope.” In addition, Kum & Go committed to sponsoring a Habitat for Humanity home in one of the communities where its 430 stores operate in 11 states.
In 2014, Kum & Go sponsored a home build in Minot, N.D. The affordable and eco-friendly home will be built in the region that has collected the most money in donations as a percentage of customer traffic through its stores—with Sioux Falls, S.D. earning the honor this year. Stores in Sioux Falls, S.D. collected the most donations per transaction to secure a Habitat home for a low-income family in their community. Kum & Go will also award three additional districts with a grant of $10,000 and two $3,000 grants for their local Habitat affiliates.
“This is such an impactful program that pulls together our company, our associates and our customers to all get involved and support their community. The Habitat mission connects so well with our company’s philanthropic philosophy and focus,” says Kum & Go president and CEO Kyle Krause. “Our customers are just as dedicated to serving their communities and have once again generously showed their commitment through in-store support.”
Associates eager to earn the Habitat home in their regions enthusiastically promoted the in-store fundraiser. Co-branded coffee mugs were available with $1 from each purchase donated to Habitat. A percentage of Kum & Go brand water went to the cause as did all customer donations from counter collection jars.
“The success of this partnership with Kum & Go continues to thrive,” said Colleen Finn Ridenhour, deputy director of Corporate, Foundation and Institutional Relations, Habitat for Humanity International. “Kum & Go and their customers are helping create affordable housing alongside low-income families in their communities and the impact they are making nationwide is wonderful.”
Kum & Go, which is currently Habitat’s only national convenience retail partner, is the nation’s fifth largest privately held, company-operated convenience store chain. The convenience retailer donates 10% of profits each year to charitable causes in the communities it serves. Habitat for Humanity has more than 1,400 affiliates at work in the U.S., building houses in partnership with people in need of decent, affordable housing. Habitat homes are purchased by low-income families through no-profit mortgages, thanks to the donated labor of Habitat volunteers and the support of partner organizations, individuals and foundations. Families buying Habitat homes invest sweat equity hours toward building their homes and the homes of others.
