Philanthropic Business of the Year Finalist: Kum & Go LC

Iowa-based convenience store chain Kum & Go LC entered the Springfield market after its 2004 acquisition of Oklahoma-based Git-N-Go’s assets, and it increased its local presence with the purchase last year of 37 area stores from Springfield-based Cody’s Convenience Stores.

There are now 41 Kum & Go locations in Springfield, where Kum & Go has continued its 50 years of lending its support in the communities it serves.

“Each year Kum & Go returns at least 10 percent of its profits to communities it serves,” says Meggan Kring, director of communications for Kum & Go.

One of the company’s most recent philanthropic efforts was in partnership with the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools this spring.

Kum & Go donated 3 cents for every gallon of gas sold at its Springfield stores to the foundation through the Fuel Your School campaign.

“It was the first year that we were approached with it, and we got involved, absolutely,” says Barry Green, Kum & Go district supervisor.

“We know the schools, the schools know us, and they make up a lot of our customers, so we try to give back to our customers,” he adds.

The endeavor raised $8,000, which was presented  during the foundation’s Teacher Appreciation banquet on April 19.

The money is helping to support foundation programs such as Back to School grants.

“This has really gone toward all our programs that we do, so it’s very valuable dollars and we really appreciate the partnership that we had with Kum & Go,” says foundation Executive Director Nancy Fazzino.

Helping local schools is just one way Kum & Go has supported the Springfield-area community.

This year, the company also participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s 2010 Sneaker campaign, raising more than $95,000 for the foundation, Kring says.

Regina Guthrie, store manager of the Kum & Go at Walnut Lawn and South National Avenue, led that site to bring in the most money among all 430 Kum & Go stores nationwide raising money to fight juvenile diabetes.

“I’ve got a manager who is very passionate, plus the fact that she got every one of her employees on board,” Green says of Guthrie. “Every one of her employees was happy to be a part of the cause.”
Kum & Go also has been a strong, ongoing supporter of the Children’s Miracle Network, Kring says.
Funds raised by Kum & Go for CMN include more than $30,000 during the Memorial Day weekend telethon, Kring says.

“(Children’s Miracle Network) came to me a couple years ago with an idea of making a commitment to make a mural, and all we had to do was commit to raising money for them through different fundraisers,” says district supervisor Green says.

A mural honoring Kum & Go’s commitment to CMN is now on the pediatric floor at Cox South Hospital.

“It’s a picture of a Kum & Go store, with employees wearing the white shirt. We’re known for our white shirt, and it shows some of our brands,” Green says. “We have a slogan, ‘It takes a special person to wear the tie’ and I (reiterate) that to each of my employees.”

Community support spans beyond money, too. During a recent two-month period, Kring says, local Kum & Go employees volunteered more than 385 hours at 84 volunteer events that touched 37 organizations.

Employees also can direct where Kum & Go’s charitable donations are spent by participating in the KG Cares campaign.

On the last Friday of every month, store support center associates can wear jeans in exchange for a $5 donation to the cause of their choice, with each dollar matched by the company.

As a result of the campaign, more than $20,000 has been raised for charity.[[In-content Ad]]