“Doing the Most Good” is The Salvation Army’s motto, and in Indiana, it’s clear that they live that principle every day. But to be able to do “the most good” for the most people, the organization requires community support. That is where Strack & Van Til and its commitment to giving back to the communities it serves comes in.

From Monday, July 22 through Sunday, Aug. 4, The Salvation Army will be the beneficiary of Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up. Customers across the Region can choose to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar when shopping at their local Strack & Van Til store. Those extra funds will be donated to the organization. Proceeds from the Lake and Porter County Strack & Van Til stores will benefit the Northwest Indiana Corps while those from the Jasper County stores will fund the Indianapolis Corps, which serves Jasper County.

Maj. Christopher Marques, Northwest Indiana Area commander, notes that the Round Up proceeds will help the organization keep the doors open and operations going to serve more people this summer and Christmas. The more that is raised, he says, more people will be assisted.

The Salvation Army offers a variety of services including emergency food, utility and rent assistance; emergency disaster services and resources and referrals for families who need additional help. In Lake and Porter Counties combined, Salvation Army food pantries serve 550 families, and the East Chicago soup kitchen provides 2,000 hot meals each month.

During Christmas 2023, The Salvation Army distributed toys and clothing to more than 2,000 children in Lake and Porter Counties. The corps offers weekly worship services, youth programming, adult Bible studies and women’s ministries. Additionally, each corps offers unique programs: Hammond-Munster hosts a back-to-school carnival that provides backpacks and school supplies; Gary-Merrillville offers a choice pantry that provides food and home goods; and East Chicago serves hot lunches to an average of 100 people per day Monday-Friday each week.

Marques appreciates the support that Strack & Van Til has provided year after year. “I am most grateful for the partnership of Strack & Van Til. They are an amazing store that cares deeply about the community and wants to give back to help others in need,” says Marques. “With partners like Strack & Van Til, we can go even further to help more people all year-long.”

According to Dannielle Lange, assistant to the Divisional Service Extension Director, Jasper County Salvation Army serves 100 or more people in their community. She says the Strack & Van Til Checkout Challenge Round Up will provide local awareness of organization’s presence in the community and its goal to “Do the Most Good.” The proceeds from the Round Up will contribute to the overall assistance that The Salvation Army provides Jasper County.

“I think it is remarkable that Strack & Van Til Food Market supports their community by taking the initiative to raise funds to help further the programs offered by The Salvation Army,” Lange says.

Strack & Van Til continues its more than 94-year tradition of philanthropy by raising funds through the Checkout Challenge Round Up program to help organizations in the communities it serves throughout Northwest Indiana.

President and CEO Jeff Strack credits the generosity of Strack & Van Til’s customers and the commitment of its employees for the success of the Checkout Challenge Round Up.

“Giving back to the communities we serve is just naturally a part of Strack & Van Til’s culture. We are incredibly grateful to our customers who contribute to these Round Up campaigns and make a difference in the lives of so many people,” Strack says. “Our customers are the best. They are the ones who give back to the community. Our stores, with the help of our employees, simply provide our customers with an outlet to donate to some of their favorite local organizations.”

Show your support for The Salvation Army by participating in Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up. For more information on programs, to volunteer or to donate, visit centralusa.salvationarmy.org/northwestindiana and centralusa.salvationarmy.org/Indiana.

To learn more about Strack & Van Til’s community involvement, visit strackandvantil.com/company/community-involvement.