Culver’s Thank You Farmers® Project Hits $8 Million Donation Milestone

Culver’s has always worn its Midwest roots proudly—right down to the farm-fresh ingredients behind its ButterBurgers and Fresh Frozen Custard. This week, the restaurant brand shared a milestone that reinforces that connection in a big way: Culver’s Thank You Farmers® Project has officially surpassed $8 million in total donations since launching in 2013. Even more impressive, 2025 marked a record year, with more than $1.5 million raised to support the future of agriculture through education, advocacy, and community-based partnerships.

A 12-year commitment to the people behind the food

When Culver’s started the Thank You Farmers Project, the mission was simple: support farmers and strengthen agricultural education so the next generation can continue feeding communities for decades to come. Twelve years later, that mission has grown into a nationwide effort powered by local restaurants, community partners, and everyday guests. As Alison Demmer, Culver’s senior public relations manager, put it: behind every meal served is a network of hardworking farmers. The Thank You Farmers Project is Culver’s way of turning gratitude into action—by investing in the people and programs that keep agriculture strong.

How guests and communities helped raise $1.5 million in 2025

The Thank You Farmers Project is fueled by participation—donations at the register, local fundraising, and limited-time initiatives that make it easy for guests to contribute while enjoying the Culver’s experience. Here are some of the standout efforts from 2025:

• Green and Gold: Culver’s donated $1 for each rental and digital purchase of the movie Green and Gold, totaling $100,000 donated to three agricultural organizations.
• To Farmers with Love Contest: Guests nominated farmers and ranchers for recognition, with five winnersreceiving a $500 cash prize, a VIP Tim McGraw concert experience at the Field of Dreams, plus Culver’s gift cards and swag.
• Scoops of Thanks Day (11th annual): Guests donated more than $170,000, receiving a single scoop of Fresh Frozen Custard in exchange for a $1 donation supporting local FFA chapters and other agricultural education organizations.
• Concretes for a Cause: Culver’s raised more than $570,000 by donating $1 from each Concrete Mixer soldsystemwide over a five-day period—supporting local hunger relief initiatives.
• Culver’s FFA Ambassadors: Guests nominated standout FFA members to represent Culver’s as ambassadors. Ten ambassadors earned up to $2,500 for their local chapters to fund learning experiences through agriculture advocacy events in partnership with Culver’s.

Why this milestone matters beyond the number

An $8 million milestone is worth celebrating—but the bigger story is what it represents: a long-term investment in agricultural education and sustainability, backed by a brand with more than 1,000 family-owned and operated restaurants across 26 states. Programs like this help ensure:

• Students have access to hands-on agricultural learning opportunities
• Local FFA chapters and education organizations can expand their impact
• Communities stay connected to the real people behind the food supply
• Future farmers and ranchers feel seen, supported, and valued

In a time when the future of farming faces real challenges—from labor shortages to climate pressures—consistent support for agricultural education and advocacy can make a meaningful difference.

How to get involved

Culver’s is encouraging guests and community members to learn more, donate, or participate in upcoming initiatives tied to the Thank You Farmers Project. To explore the program and find ways to support it, visit: https://www.culvers.com/about-culvers/thank-you-farmers-project

FAQ: Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project

About Culver’s

For more than 40 years, Culver’s has served cooked-to-order meals made with farm-fresh ingredients and delivered with a signature commitment to friendly service. The brand’s menu is best known for the ButterBurger (made with fresh, never-frozen beef) and Fresh Frozen Custard, including its popular Flavor of the Day program. With more than 1,000 restaurants in 26 states, Culver’s continues to grow while staying rooted in small-town Midwestern values—and the Thank You Farmers Project is one of the clearest examples of that commitment in action.

High Demand Marks “Veggies for Veterans” Event Amid SNAP Delays

Link: https://stmdailynews.com/high-demand-marks-veggies-for-veterans-event-amid-snap-delays/

The Holiday Spirit Matters — Why Giving Back Should Last All Year

(Family Features) During the holiday season, many people feel a renewed sense of generosity. It’s a time when communities come alive with food drives, toy collections, volunteer events and donation campaigns – all fueled by the spirit of giving. While this seasonal energy can be powerful, the need it responds to doesn’t fade when the decorations come down. Giving back is not only essential during the holidays; it’s also the foundation of stronger, more resilient communities year round. People in nearly every community face challenges – whether it’s affording holiday presents or meeting basic needs like food, rent and utilities. For many families, current economic strains are forcing them to make tough decisions like sacrificing necessities or depleting savings to create moments of holiday joy. This is a time to rally support and help neighbors in need. Right now, many community members who didn’t previously need help are seeking support.  Acts of generosity large and small help close gaps and strengthen communities. When individuals and businesses give their time, resources and talent, they can help ensure everyone has a fair chance to not only survive but thrive. Communities rely on nonprofit organizations like United Way – one of the oldest and largest organizations committed to tackling local challenges and mobilizing communities to improve lives. With a presence in nearly 99% of communities across the U.S., the organization recognizes the power of giving and relies on seasonal and year-round generosity to deliver food and housing assistance, youth programs, mental health support, disaster recovery and more. This holiday season and beyond, to assist your community consider taking actions such as: Volunteering Offering your time is one way to make a real change in your community while helping build a more resilient future for all. What’s more, research shows the personal benefits of volunteering, such as reduced feelings of isolation, loneliness and risk of depression. Whether it’s a community event, ongoing support or in-person activities, making a difference for others feels good. Donating Sharing your financial resources can play a vital role in helping communities thrive. Your donation can help put food on the table for families in need, support kids who are struggling or provide mental health services to the most vulnerable individuals. Remember, your gift of any size combines with the gifts of others and builds stronger, more resilient communities. Sharing Expertise or Talent Generosity can take many forms. Making a difference isn’t just about time and money; it can also mean sharing skills or knowledge, and even social networks to bolster charitable efforts. Giving back builds a shared sense of responsibility. It reminds people that strong communities don’t happen by accident – they’re created through connection, compassion and collective action. Supporting Causes You Believe In Every community faces their own unique, pressing challenges and almost everyone has a cause that’s close to their hearts. Identify organizations working to advance those causes and make a plan to support them. Find opportunities to support your community this holiday season and make generosity a year-round tradition at unitedway.org/local. SOURCE: United Way

Nourishing Our Heroes: Eight Years of Impact at Phoenix VA’s Veggies for Veterans

Link: https://stmdailynews.com/nourishing-our-heroes-eight-years-of-impact-at-phoenix-vas-veggies-for-veterans/

Stories of Change: People Making a Difference

Discover inspiring stories of changemakers making a positive impact. Explore videos and articles of people tackling today’s biggest challenges with action and hope. Visit: https://stmdailynews.com/stories-of-change/

STM Daily News is a multifaceted podcast that explores a wide range of topics, from life and consumer issues to the latest in food and beverage trends. Our discussions dive into the realms of science, covering everything from space and Earth to nature, artificial intelligence, and astronomy. We also celebrate the amateur sports scene, highlighting local athletes and events, including our special segment on senior Pickleball, where we report on the latest happenings in this exciting community. With our diverse content, STM Daily News aims to inform, entertain, and engage listeners, providing a comprehensive look at the issues that matter most in our daily lives. https://stories-this-moment.castos.com/

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Turns Spare Change Into Holiday Hope with Feeding America Partnership

When you’re hunting for bargains this holiday season, your spare change could do more than jingle in your pocket—it could put food on a neighbor’s table. Ollie’s Bargain Outlet is launching its sixth annual hOLLIEday Caring campaign, partnering with Feeding America® to give shoppers an easy way to fight hunger right at the register. From December 7th through December 24th, customers can round up their purchases to support local food banks in communities where Ollie’s stores operate. It’s a small gesture that adds up fast—over the past five years, these round-ups have generated more than $4 million for families facing food insecurity.

Why This Campaign Matters More Than Ever

Food insecurity isn’t just a holiday problem—it’s a year-round crisis that intensifies when the calendar turns to November and December. Rising costs for food, housing, and healthcare have pushed millions of Americans into impossible choices: pay the electric bill or buy groceries? Fill a prescription or feed the kids? The Feeding America network has responded to this growing need by rescuing more than 4 billion pounds of wholesome food over the past year. But as demand increases, so does the pressure on food banks to keep shelves stocked and families fed. “The holidays can be a particularly challenging period for those in need and the food banks that support them,” the campaign announcement notes. “This is a time when families are forced to choose between food and other necessity items, food banks face rising demand, and families nationwide are turning to the Feeding America network of partner food banks to help make ends meet.”

How Round-Ups Create Real Impact

The beauty of Ollie’s hOLLIEday Caring campaign lies in its simplicity. There’s no complicated donation process, no separate transaction, no guilt-inducing ask at the checkout. Just a quick question: would you like to round up your purchase? That extra 37 cents or 82 cents might not seem like much in the moment, but multiply it across hundreds of thousands of transactions at 613 stores in 34 states, and suddenly you’re talking about meaningful resources for local food banks. “Our hOLLIEday Caring campaign encourages shoppers to turn spare change into meaningful support that puts food on the table for neighbors and creates the kind of real change and hope families need right now,” said Tom Kuypers, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Ollie’s.

A Partnership Built on Community Values

What makes this initiative particularly effective is that donations stay local. The funds raised support Feeding America’s network of partner food banks in the communities where Ollie’s operates, ensuring that your round-up in Pennsylvania helps Pennsylvania families, and your contribution in Arizona supports Arizona neighbors. This localized approach reflects Ollie’s broader commitment to the communities it serves. “At Ollie’s, caring for our associates, customers, and the communities in which they live in is a core value,” Kuypers emphasized. Elizabeth Pettengill, Interim Vice President of Corporate Partners at Feeding America, echoed that sentiment: “We are grateful for partners like Ollie’s who help make our work possible. Every round up at the register supports local food banks in communities across the country, helping to ensure families can bring meals home during the holidays and beyond.”

Beyond the Holidays

While the hOLLIEday Caring campaign runs through Christmas Eve, the need for food assistance doesn’t end when the decorations come down. Food insecurity is a persistent challenge that requires sustained support throughout the year. That’s why partnerships like this one matter—they create awareness, build habits of giving, and demonstrate how easily everyday shoppers can contribute to solutions. When charitable giving is integrated into routine activities like grocery shopping or bargain hunting, it becomes accessible to everyone, not just those with disposable income to spare.

How to Participate

If you’re shopping at Ollie’s between December 7th and December 24th, simply say yes when the cashier asks if you’d like to round up your purchase. That’s it. Your spare change will be directed to Feeding America’s network of local food banks, helping families in your community access the food they need. And if Ollie’s isn’t part of your regular shopping routine, consider how you might support local food banks in other ways—whether through direct donations, volunteering, or participating in similar round-up campaigns at other retailers. The holidays remind us that community isn’t just about celebration—it’s about showing up for each other, especially when times are tough. Sometimes that looks like a grand gesture. Sometimes it’s as simple as rounding up to the nearest dollar.

About Ollie’s Bargain Outlet

Ollie’s is a leading off-price retailer specializing in brand name closeout merchandise and excess inventory. With 613 stores across 34 states, the company’s mission is to sell “Good Stuff Cheap®” at prices up to 70% below traditional retailers. Learn more at ollies.com. For more stories about people making a difference in the community, whether it’s locally or globally, visit our Stories of Change section.

---

Sources:

• Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Press Release via PR Newswire
• Feeding America

Looking for more ways to support families facing food insecurity? Visit your local food bank’s website to learn about donation opportunities, volunteer shifts, and community programs.