Did you know that “nearly one in three Northwest Indiana households can’t afford basic needs such as child care, housing, food, transportation and health care?”

According to United Way Northwest Indiana Chief Impact Officer Anicia Kosky, that is the sad reality for people every day.

To help United Way of Northwest Indiana fund programs that aid those in need, Strack & Van Til’s next Checkout Challenge Round Up will benefit the charitable organization. From April 24-30, customers across the Region can choose to round up their purchase to the nearest dollar when shopping at their local Strack & Van Til store. These extra funds will be donated to United Way Northwest Indiana.

The Check Out Challenge continues Strack & Van Til’s more than 93-year tradition of philanthropy by raising funds to help organizations in the communities they serve throughout Northwest Indiana. The grocery store chain is proud to say that its program raised a total of $574,110 in 2022.

From hunger and homelessness to drug addiction and disability, financial peril, food insecurity and more, Valparaiso-based United Way of Northwest Indiana is there to help your neighbors beat unbearable challenges. The organization works to create positive, lasting change to help improve residents’ lives in Lake, Porter, LaPorte and other Indiana counties.

How does it accomplish its goals? By mobilizing the caring power of volunteers and workers who have an interest in transforming people’s lives through their kindness and effort. Volunteer and working opportunities include tutoring and mentoring disadvantaged youth, managing or operating after-school programs, boosting financial literacy and more via the AmeriCorps program. In addition, trained volunteers of The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance provide tax preparation services for those who cannot prepare their own returns.

For those older than 55, the United Way Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), one of the largest networks of volunteers in the nation for that age group, is a great way to give back and feel fulfilled by sharing their vast experience and life skills. RSVP members assist at food banks, shelters, Veterans Administration clinics, day-care centers, hospitals, hospice and more.

Finally, United Way Northwest Indiana volunteers can be found helping out other organizations, such as Meals on Wheels and Salvation Army, disaster relief organizations and others.

Kosky notes that “the care and compassion that Strack & Van Til, their staff and their customers provide helps residents thrive.” The organization is grateful to be included in the Strack & Van Til Check Out Challenge.

“We can’t thank them enough for their long-term support of our endeavors to help Northwest Indiana residents become more financially stable,” Kosky says.

President and CEO Jeff Strack credits the success of the Checkout Challenge Round Ups to Strack & Van Til customer generosity and the commitment of Strack & Van Til employees.

“Giving back to the communities we serve is just naturally a part of Strack & Van Til’s culture. We are very 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.”

Offer your neighbors in need a helping hand. Simply take part in Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up and support United Way Northwest Indiana.

For more information on United Way Northwest Indiana, visit unitedwaynwi.org and to learn more about Strack & Van Til’s community involvement, visit strackandvantil.com/company/community-involvement.