Hear that sound? That’s the jingle of “spare change” adding up to make a difference. Strack & Van Til is at it again—raising funds through their Checkout Challenge Round Up program, to help organizations in the communities they serve throughout Northwest Indiana.

The grocery chain continues their over 90-year tradition of philanthropy during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From Monday, October 3 through Sunday, October 9, proceeds from the Checkout Challenge Round Up will benefit Pink Ribbon Society.

The Strack & Van Til Checkout Challenge Round Up is a popular year round fundraising campaign that benefits various charities and organizations in Northwest Indiana. 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 are then donated to the designated charity or organization for that campaign. In 2021, the Checkout Challenge Round Up raised $633,800. The “spare change” collected this week will be donated to support Pink Ribbon Society. The organization supports women and men (who account for 2% of all breast cancer diagnoses) of Lake, Porter and Jasper Counties.

Since its inception in 2001, Pink Ribbon Society has returned approximately $750,000 to individuals and other community organizations via its programs. This includes contributing for screening and diagnostic mammograms, wigs, garments like mastectomy bras and breast prostheses, and pre-paid gift cards for those who need financial assistance during treatment to help to pay for groceries, transportation to treatment, childcare and more.

Other beneficiaries of Checkout Challenge Round Ups held this year at Strack & Van Til stores include American Heart Association, Special Olympics Indiana, Habitat for Humanity, Cancer Resource Center, Meals on Wheels, Tradewinds, Opportunity Enterprises, Boys & Girls Clubs of NWI, Salvation Army, Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) Meals on Wheels Program, United Way of NWI, Boy Scouts of America, and the Foodbank of Northwest Indiana.

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.

“We have the best customers. They are the ones who give back to the community. Our stores, with the help of our employees, simply provide our customers an outlet to give to some of their favorite local organizations,” Strack says. “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 Roundup campaigns and make a difference in the lives of so many people.”