Friendly cashiers and generous customers “ROUND-UP” to raise $ 26,214.91 during seven-day campaign
The real magic of this time of year is found in the promise of hope and joy during the holiday season – a promise unfulfilled for those who have fled a violent home life with little more than the clothes on their back, only to end up at St. Jude House, a family violence prevention center and shelter. Strack & Van Til is one local business that helps ensure the children, and their parents living at the shelter will have three nutritious meals each day.
The campaign for St. Jude House ran the last week of October as Strack & Van Til customers in Lake, Porter and Jasper counties chose to round up their bill to the next dollar when checking out at their local store.
“We developed a very strong relationship with St. Jude House and realized all of the good this organization does for people’s safety and health,” said Jeff Strack, President and CEO of Strack & Van Til.
“The core mission of Strack & Van Til is to make Northwest Indiana a better place to live,” Strack continued. “We’re fortunate that, through our business, we are able to help organizations like St. Jude House at various capacities, and it makes me feel good to be part of a company that really strives to make a difference in the community.”
“The cashiers and customers have truly delivered a miracle for the families who stay at our shelter in that they have secured food on the table at the shelter, as well as food in a child’s lunch bag as they head off to school each day,” said Ryan Elinkowski, Director of St. Jude House.”
St. Jude House has served more than 13,000 clients and children since it opened. It provides services to victims of domestic violence and/or sexual assault, and their children, with services ranging from crisis intervention, housing, daily living needs, support groups, legal advocacy, referrals and links to social service agencies and assistance programs. This year, the organization received 1,600 calls to its 24-hour crisis hotline and annually provides more than 11,000 nights of shelter to those fleeing domestic violence.
“Strack & Van Til is a St. Jude House Community Partner, however being included as a Round-Up participant truly is a game-changer for the 500 clients and children served annually at St. Jude House,” said Buffy Adams, Director of Development. “We’re beyond grateful to Strack & Van Til, its cashiers and customers and we thank them for the impact this gift will have for the families we serve every day.”
To learn more about how Strack and Van Til has been giving back to the community for more than three generations, check out this short video interview with CEO Jeff Strack: https://nwi.life/video/leadership-life-jeff-strack-three-generations-of-serving-northwest-indiana/ .
For more info about Strack & Van Til in general, visit strackandvantil.com
For more information about St. Jude House and their services, please visit www.stjudehouse.org.
