Omaha, Neb.-based Sapp. Bros., with 17 travel center locations across the U.S., supports a wide range of causes focused on health, veterans, education, anti-human trafficking and youth development. In addition to fundraising for various causes, the chain emphasizes education and staff involvement, reflecting a deeper, long-term commitment to helping its local communities.
CStore Decisions is recognizing Sapp Bros. with a Philanthropy & Community Engagement Award for its commitment to fostering a culture of community giving and involvement.
“At the heart of our business is a simple, but powerful, mission: to bless and serve our customers, teammates and the communities we call home,” said Andrea Galvin, marketing manager, Sapp Bros. Inc. “The past year — and for many years — we have remained committed to that mission by investing our time, energy and resources into causes that uplift and strengthen those around us.”
Last year, Sapp Bros. raised $61,000 for the American Heart Association (AHA) through a round-up campaign at its travel centers that included a $25,000 match from Sapp Bros. The chain prioritizes education by providing heart health training for its staff. It also installed automated external defibrillators at its offices and several store locations. Many of the chain’s employees participate in the annual AHA Heart Walk.
The chain has also shown long-standing support for veterans and families in need. Its annual golf outing raised $74,000 for Folds of Honor and the UNO College for Speech-Language Pathology, providing scholarships and educational resources.
Truckers Against Trafficking
Sapp Bros. has partnered with Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) since 2015 to combat human trafficking along America’s roadways by training its employees on trafficking prevention and providing philanthropic support and public awareness campaigns. Sapp Bros. co-branded and created a video specifically to teach employees how to recognize and respond to human trafficking at its locations.
To date, more than 688 Sapp Bros. employees have been trained. In 2024 Sapp Bros. raised $74,000 for TAT through a round-up campaign, which also included a $25,000 match from Sapp Bros.
The chain also hosted Junction Briefings at several locations to educate the travel center and trucking communities on human trafficking prevention and to facilitate collaboration with law enforcement at a local level. The idea behind the Junction Briefings was to target areas with numerous truck stops and travel centers near major interstate or highway junctions and provide multiple 45-60-minute educational sessions on trafficking prevention in one day.
TAT piloted this new engagement model at Sapp Bros. in Commerce City, Colo., in December 2024 with the Laboratory to Combat Human Trafficking, which runs the Colorado Human Trafficking Hotline. Thirty-two employees attended one of the three sessions provided, according to TAT.
The chain also co-branded human trafficking awareness graphics and informational messaging, which it displays throughout its locations during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
Sapp Bros. also repurposed buttons previously used to signal employees when the restrooms needed attention to now act as alerts if someone needs help. “We recognize that victims of human trafficking often are only alone when they are in the restrooms, so we’ve put signs above the button that we are here to help them and to press the button if they need help,” Galvin explained.
“Sapp Bros. has stood out among TAT’s partners in the c-store industry for many years,” said Louie Greek, training specialist, TAT. The chain will be the recipient of the 2025 TAT Champion Award in the Organization Category.
Sapp Bros.’ partnership with TAT is rooted in the chain’s understanding that because of its position in the truck stop and travel center industry, it can play a key role on the front lines of human trafficking prevention.
“Human trafficking is a heartbreaking issue and one we want to make a difference in,” Galvin said. “Truck stops/travel centers and c-stores by their very nature are places where people from all walks of life come and go. Tragically, these locations can also be places where victims of human trafficking are vulnerable to exploitation. They can also be critical intervention points where victims may have a fleeting opportunity for help. That’s why we see it as our responsibility to be vigilant and proactive in supporting efforts to identify and help victims who may be suffering.”
Engaging The Community
During its campaigns for TAT, Folds of Honor and AHA, Sapp Bros. holds cookouts, friendly competitions and rallies to further engage its customers and teammates to raise additional funds for the causes.
“We also extend our support to numerous organizations through the year by donating gift baskets for fundraising events or donations, benefiting organizations like Angels Among Us, Breakthrough T1D, Make-a-Wish, St. Christopher Truckers Fund, Hope Spoke, and several location food banks and school programs,” said Galvin. “On Veterans Day, we proudly offer free meals to veterans as a small token of our gratitude for their service. We also remain active participants in the Junior Achievement Bowling Classic, demonstrating our belief in empowering the next generation through education and community engagement. These efforts are more than events and donations — they are part of our foundation. We are grateful to our teammates and customers for embracing our commitment to service.”
From the top down, the chain exemplifies a culture of service. For example, when tornados struck the area last year, the team didn’t hesitate to help their fellow community members.
“I’ll never forget sitting in our Monday morning meeting and our president asking us to take a day this week — not to work — but to go out and serve our community. To me that moment defines who we are. Some teammates served food to the less fortunate, others staffed food pantries and some rolled up their sleeves to help with neighborhood cleanup after the storm,” Galvin said.
Galvin explained that Sapp. Bros.’ commitment to giving back to the communities it serves originates from an understanding that the company isn’t just a business, but an important part of the communities where it operates. As such, the chain incentivizes and rewards employees who help take the chain’s fundraising and involvement efforts to the next level.
“We also think these efforts help us create a better bond with our guests, knowing that together we can help make a difference in the organizations we are blessing,” she added.
Investing in Local Causes
Travel centers and c-stores have a unique opportunity to create a lasting impact on their local communities by giving back.
“It’s a powerful way to build trust, loyalty and long-term relationships with your guests, your teammates and community,” Galvin said. “Being committed to the well-being of the people who support us every day shows that it’s more than just the bottom line. The value of giving back goes beyond just ‘doing good.’ We see our employee and guest engagement increase when we invest in a local cause that matters to them. We believe doing so strengthens our brand and drives business. When guests see that you are involved in causes that matter to them, they want to support businesses that share their values.”
Because c-stores are located throughout the country and serve everyone, they are an integral part of life for millions of Americans. “This gives us a special responsibility and an incredible opportunity to be more than just a business,” Galvin said. “The high frequency of everyday touch points provides for an opportunity of ongoing engagement. In short, we believe the convenience store industry isn’t just capable of impacting communities — it’s uniquely equipped to do so. It’s a responsibility we embrace and one we hope our industry will continue to see as both a privilege and a calling.”
