When disaster hits, the American Red Cross springs into action, and in the aftermath of the recent tornadoes in Northwest Indiana, it is the Northwest Chapter of the Indiana Region that helped residents pick up the pieces.

You can help from Monday, April 6 through Sunday, April 12, as Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross, Indiana Region will be the beneficiary of Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up. Customers across the Region can round up their purchase to the nearest dollar when shopping at their local Strack & Van Til store with those extra funds donated directly to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund.

Red Cross disaster responders have been on the ground supporting those affected by the severe weather in northwest Indiana. According to Janie Bohlmann, regional communications manager for the Indiana Region of the American Red Cross, proceeds from the Round Up will help the organization with disaster relief. That includes providing shelter, warm meals, emergency supplies, comfort and care to those affected by disaster.

The Red Cross continues to work with community partners, local organizations and government officials to assess the needs of those affected by the recent tornadoes. “A donation to Red Cross Disaster Relief can help ensure that no matter what type of disaster or where it strikes, we can be there with food, supplies and shelter to help those in need,” notes Bohlmann.

The Northwest Chapter of the American Red Cross Indiana Region serves more than 1.8 million people across 23 counties, and the entire Indiana Region of the American Red Cross serves 6.9 million people across 104 counties in Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois. In 2025, the Red Cross Northwest Chapter helped more than 500 families affected by more than 300 disasters, including home fires. The Northwest Chapter made more than 800 homes safer by installing free smoke alarms and sharing home fire safety education, and thanks to the generosity of donors, they collected nearly 40,000 units of blood. The Red Cross also trained more than 21,000 people in lifesaving skills through first-aid, CPR and AED and aquatic classes.

“We’re grateful to community partners like Strack & Van Til for empowering the Red Cross mission. When you support the American Red Cross, your generosity provides immediate relief and hope,” says Northwest Chapter Executive Director Sarah Moss. “Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for, respond to and help people recover from disasters big and small wherever they occur.” 

Strack & Van Til continues its more than 96-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.

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

“Our stores, with the help of our employees, provide an outlet for our customers to donate to some of their favorite local organizations,” he explains. “Our customers are the ones who give back to the community, and we are so grateful for them.”

Show your support for Red Cross Northwest Chapter by participating in Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up.

You can support the Red Cross mission by giving your time and talents as a Red Cross volunteer. From supporting families after a disaster to delivering blood products, there are numerous ways to get involved. Learn more at RedCross.org/volunteer.

Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. Give a lifesaving gift by making an appointment to donate blood at RedCrossBlood.org.

To learn more about how Strack & Van Til gives back to the communities it serves, visit strackandvantil.com/community.