Did you know that 46% Americans will meet the criteria for a diagnosable mental health condition in their life, according to the National Institutes of Health? Or that nearly one in five American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration?

By providing free, early intervention programs that support mental wellness at every stage of life, Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana (MHANWI) is working to change these statistics for 4,000 children and adults in Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper Counties.

And you can help from Monday, July 28, through Sunday, Aug. 3, by supporting Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana through the Strack & Van Til’s Checkout Challenge Round Up. Customers across the Region can round up their purchase to the nearest dollar when shopping at all Strack & Van Til stores with the extra funds donated to the organization.

President and CEO Andrea Sherwin notes that the proceeds from the Checkout Challenge Round Up will support MHANWI’s community-based programs — with a primary focus on home visiting programs, offered at no cost to families with children up to age 5. Every dollar raised ensures the organization can continue to provide free, accessible mental health and early childhood support resources to children and families across the Region regardless of income, insurance status or background.

MHANWI’s mission is “Transforming our communities through proven programs that educate, empower and strengthen the way individuals and families function for life.” They do this through comprehensive, evidence-based programs for parents and children, that educate, empower and strengthen individuals and families.

According to Sherwin, MHANWI has been a pillar of support for Northwest Indiana since 1957, working to achieve positive mental health by removing barriers limiting a person’s full potential. The organization offers no-cost services and programs designed to foster resilience, reinforce protective factors, strengthen family dynamics, promote generational transformation and uplift those navigating mental illness. Sherwin says they are guided by the #B4Stage4 approach, which emphasizes prevention and early intervention, advocating passionately for community members across all walks of life. “We believe mental wellness should start before crisis does,” says Sherwin.

“We are very grateful to be selected as a beneficiary of the Checkout Challenge campaign this year,” notes Sherwin. “Jeff Strack and his entire team continue to show their commitment to Northwest Indiana through their many charitable endeavors, and we are honored to be included in that support. Being invited into a trusted space where thousands of families shop every day is both humbling and powerful. We want to thank all Strack & Van Til and Town & Country teams and shoppers ahead of our Checkout Challenge week. It means so much to know that our community believes in the importance of mental health — and that even a few cents at checkout can help us provide life-changing services at no cost to those who need them most.” 

Strack & Van Til continues its more than 95-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.

“We are incredibly grateful to our customers. 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 give to some of their favorite local organizations,” he explains.

For more information on programs, to volunteer or to donate to Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana, visit mhanwi.org. To learn more about how Strack & Van Til gives back to the communities they serve, visit strackandvantil.com/community.