Did you know that Indiana ranks fifth in the nation for domestic violence? In fact, “in Indiana, 40.4% of women and 26.8% of men experience intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence and/or intimate partner stalking in their lifetime.” (cdc.gov) Staggering statistics like these are the reason The Caring Place, an agency that provides service, shelter and support for people experiencing domestic violence, exists.

From Monday, August 12, through Sunday, August 18, The Caring Place 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.

According to Communications Director Erin Blumenthal, round-up proceeds will help fund The Caring Place’s comprehensive programming, which includes in-shelter and community support groups, legal advocacy, children’s services, housing assistance, mobile advocacy and specialized support for clients after they leave the shelter, as well as day-to-day operations such as groceries, toiletries, transportation and more. Blumenthal notes that it costs about $98,000 a month to run the shelter.

The Caring Place serves women, men, children and the elderly. Their safe shelter and 24-hour Crisis Line operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week for individuals and their children who experience domestic violence. In addition, the organization provides community education, support groups, legal counseling and case management and independent living planning — all free and confidential.

“We serve over 350 in-shelter and community clients per year. Our service area is Porter, Lake and Starke Counties, but we do not turn people away based on their location. We have had clients from as far away as Maine and Alaska,” Blumenthal adds.

Established in 1977 by volunteers in Hobart, The Caring Place is now in Valparaiso. It is the only domestic violence shelter in Porter County and one of four in Northwest Indiana. In total, the State of Indiana has 41 domestic violence shelters.

CEO Jessica Luth is extremely appreciative of Strack & Van Til’s support. “This is an amazing opportunity to partner with a community organization who is so well known — outside of the monetary support, which is always needed as we support up to 45 people a day — and the awareness of domestic violence and the services available in our area this will spread are just as important. We want people to know we are a resource here to support anyone affected by domestic violence,” she notes. “We couldn’t be more grateful to Strack & Van Til for their support throughout the years and especially now as we are growing our services to reach even more families that have been touched by domestic violence.”

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

President Jeff Strack credits customer generosity and employee commitment for the success of the Checkout Challenge Round Ups .

“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 Caring Place by participating in Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up. For more information on its programs, to volunteer or to donate, visit thecaringplacenwi.org.

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